2001年-世界发展银行全球_Poverty_Reduction_in_Indonesia___Constructing_a_New_Strategy_183页_13mb

Summary of Report No. 23028-IND: Indonesia Poverty Reduction Strategy

Core Content

This report outlines a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy for Indonesia, emphasizing the need for a new approach that addresses both the economic and governance dimensions of poverty. It is part of the World Bank's effort to support Indonesia in developing a poverty strategy that is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of the poor. The report highlights the importance of redefining poverty to include multidimensional aspects of well-being and aligning governance reforms with poverty reduction goals.

Main Themes

Theme 1: Broadening Poverty – Definitions, Facts, and Goals

• Poverty Definition: The report argues that poverty should be defined beyond mere income or expenditure, encompassing access to education, health care, infrastructure, and political participation.
• Poverty Reduction Success: Before the 1997-98 economic crisis, Indonesia achieved significant progress in reducing expenditure-based poverty. For example, the poverty head-count index dropped from 64.3% in 1975 to 11.4% in 1995.
• Poverty Rebound: During the crisis, the poverty rate increased sharply, peaking at around 27% in late 1998/early 1999, but has since declined as rice prices dropped and real wages recovered.
• New Poverty Goals: The report suggests a range of new poverty reduction goals, including reducing the headcount of expenditure poverty to 13.5% by 2004, improving basic education and health indicators for the poorest quintile, and increasing access to improved water and sanitation.

Theme 2: A Poverty Agenda is a Governance Agenda

• Governance Reforms: The report stresses that poverty reduction is not just an economic issue but also a governance issue. It calls for reforms that enhance government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the poor.
• Corruption and Inequity: The previous top-down development model was criticized for its inefficiencies and for favoring elites over the poor. Corruption, collusion, and nepotism have historically undermined poverty reduction efforts.
• Local Participation: The report advocates for increased local participation in decision-making processes, especially for the poor and women, to ensure that policies and programs are inclusive and effective.
• Accountability and Ethics: To improve governance, the report recommends establishing a new ethic of public service, reorienting civil service incentives, and strengthening the rule of law and law enforcement transparency.

Key Areas of Action

1. Economic Policies for Poverty Reduction

• Rapid and Sustainable Growth: Policies should promote economic growth with rising real wages, expanding employment, and limited inflation to create a conducive environment for poverty reduction.
• Elimination of Corruption: Reducing petty and policy-level corruption is essential to ensure that public resources are used effectively.
• Open Internal Trade: Maintaining open internal trade will help reduce regional disparities and promote economic opportunities.
• Support for SMEs: Encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can generate employment and income for the poor.
• Rural Incomes: Increasing rural incomes through agricultural support and infrastructure development is crucial for poverty alleviation.

2. Effective Public Services that Reach the Poor

• Accountability and Transparency: Governments should be accountable to the people, especially in local decision-making and budget allocation.
• Local Elections and Civil Service Reform: Enhancing local elections and restructuring the civil service to be more responsive and efficient is vital.
• Program Design for the Poor: Programs should be designed with the needs of the poor in mind, giving them more choice and ensuring equitable access.
• Financial Management: Improving financial management and competitive procurement will help ensure that public funds are used effectively.
• Infrastructure Development: Access to transport, water, and sanitation is essential for improving the quality of life and reducing poverty risks.

Key Recommendations

• Reevaluate Poverty Metrics: Move from narrow expenditure-based measures to broader indicators that reflect all dimensions of well-being.
• Engage Local Communities: Leverage community initiatives and provide them with necessary support and resources.
• Promote Inclusive Governance: Ensure that the poor, especially women, have a voice in local governance and decision-making.
• Strengthen Accountability: Implement systems that hold public officials accountable at all stages of policy implementation.
• Enhance Public Services: Improve the quality and accessibility of public services, particularly in education and health.
• Support SMEs and Rural Development: Create policies that support the growth of SMEs and enhance rural livelihoods through better access to land and natural resources.

Conclusion

The report concludes that a new poverty strategy for Indonesia must emerge from a broad, inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders, particularly the poor themselves. It emphasizes that poverty reduction is not just about economic growth but also about governance reforms that make the state more accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the population. The report provides a roadmap for creating such a strategy, focusing on both policy reforms and the enhancement of public services.