Indonesia’s poverty rate falls

There was much ado in the press here about Indonesia flexing its muscles over the tasks that domestic workers have to perform in Malaysia. Could it be that, with the poverty rate in Indonesia reportedly falling, there is less desperation to work in Malaysia?

The poverty rates in Indonesia has plunged from 27 per cent in 1999 to around 12 per cent now.
At the rate things are going, will there come a time when the poverty rate in Indonesia falls below that of Malaysia’s? Will more Malaysians then have to find work in Indonesia? How far-fetched is this possibility envisaged in Kenny Gan’s article?
While we are focusing on ETP, GTP and what-not, Indonesia appears to have a comprehensive poverty alleviation programme that includes “low-cost housing, cheap electricity, cheap foods and others … under coordinated programs. A welfare index would also be formulated to map out the people’s welfare.”
See this Antara report from Kompas:

Indonesia’s Poverty Rate to be Lowered to 11.7 Pct
Kamis, 5 Januari 2012 | 10:40 WIB
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The government will lower the poverty rate from 12.36 percent in 2011 to 11.7 percent this year, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono said.
“It is expected the rate will drop to 11.7 by March 2013 and to achieve the target all parties need to work hard,” he said in his new year speech here on Wednesday.
He said in September 2011, the poverty rate was recorded at 12.36 percent and in March 2011 at 12.5 percent. In March 2010 it was recorded at 13.3 percent while in March 2009 it stood at 14.1 percent.
“The number of poor people continues to drop according to the National Statistics Agency (BPS).”He said various efforts would be made to optimize the
implementation of poverty alleviation programs among others by increasing the effectiveness of the implementation of the programs.
“The community-based poverty alleviation program must continue to be increased.” Apart from that he said a social security package would also be made to increase the effectiveness of and expand poverty alleviation programs.
Programs such as low-cost housing, cheap electricity, cheap foods and others would also be carried out under coordinated programs. A welfare index would also be formulated to map out the people’s welfare.
“People empowerment-based programs also need to be integrated into the national people’s empowerment program.”