Yopie Hidayat

IT seems that Indonesia's luck has not run out this year. Entering the last quarter, positive indicators are standing out. Financial markets are calm. The exchange rate is holding steady at Rp13,000 per US dollar, while stock prices are up 18 percent since the start of the year.

An important factor behind that peace and quiet is the resolution of the national budget deficit, which until last July threatened to explode uncontrollably.