OBSERVER: MACRO ECONOMIC REVISION IN 2009 IS REALISTIC

Jakarta, Oct 14 (ANTARA) - Market observer Edwin Sinaga considered the government's policy to change the macro economic assumption in 2009 need to be based on market conditions.

"The slowing down of the global economy growth is a key factor that causes the government to anticipate the situation," Sinaga, who is also PT Finance Corpindo President Director said here, Tuesday.

The government assumed the economic growth rate should be lowered to 5.5 - 6.1 percent from 6.3 percent previously.

The assumed rupiah exchange rate against the US dollar should be reset at Rp9,500 (from Rp9,150 previously), the inflation rate at seven percent (from 6.2 percent), the BI rate at 8.5 percent (from eight percent), and Indonesia's oil price at US$85 per barrel (from US$95 per barrel).

Sinaga said there was still enough time before 2009 especially a number of central banks cooperated to initiate a better world economic growth.

When asked about the significant change of rupiah exchange rate he said that it was fair because the government had its own consideration.

Concerning the world oil price, he viewed it as an effort to lighten the government's burden.