Concept needed to promote equality<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
Macroeconomic data should make us aware that the potential for
\nconflicts triggered by economic disparity is very high. The
\ndisparity between national and foreign businesspeople, between
\nthe rich and the poor and between indigenous and non-indigenous
\npeople is widening.<\/p>\n
Although our GDP is an annual US$3,500 per capita, the amount
\nreceived as GNP is only $960, meaning that $2,540 goes to the
\nforeign investor and creditor.<\/p>\n
Per capita income is not distributed evenly among Indonesian
\ncitizens, because 80 percent of the nation's economic activities
\nare conducted by 300 conglomerate groups. More than 100 million
\nIndonesians have only 20 percent of the national economic cake.<\/p>\n
Of the 300 business groups, non-indigenous businesspeople
\ncontrol 224 groups. Indigenous businesses are represented by 76
\ngroups only and their assets are less than 20 percent of the
\ntotal assets of the conglomerates.<\/p>\n
The disparity has been felt in all economic sectors, revealing
\nthe limited access indigenous Indonesians have to financing. If
\nGNP were better distributed, a married official with three
\nchildren would earn Rp 1 million a month. But in reality
\ngovernment officials, both civil and military, receive salaries
\nbelow the national average. In this condition of poverty, it is
\nnot surprising that many officials are easily bought by
\nbusinesses (indigenous, non-indigenous as well as foreign) with
\nmoney to spend. Consequently, the people who should be defended
\nby officials are not protected when they are confronted by
\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
It is the little people that become victims of injustice in
\nmatters regarding the law, land, manpower and economy. The result
\nis poverty, unemployment and crime. Such unfinished business
\nleads to a vicious circle and could give rise to conflicts which
\ncould easily explode.<\/p>\n
A rational way out must be found to reduce the potential for
\nconflicts and economic disparities should be discussed in an open
\nand responsible way.<\/p>\n
Malaysia used to have similar social and racial problems.
\nAfter the 1969 racial riots, in which hundreds of citizens of
\nChinese origin were the victims, Malaysia introduced the concept
\nof a New Economic Policy based on the formula of 30:40:30.<\/p>\n
All government projects were allocated according to the
\nformula, i.e. 30 percent to Malaysians, 40 percent to Chinese and
\nIndians, and 30 percent to foreign contractors. Under this
\nconcept of equitable economic distribution, Malaysia has been
\nfree of racial riots for 30 years. Malaysians, Chinese and
\nIndians live in harmony and are increasingly prosperous.<\/p>\n
We, who have Pancasila, should also create a just and rational
\nconcept for equitable economic distribution to prevent the
\noccurrence of riots like the ones in Situbondo and Tasikmalaya
\nrecently, which could cause even greater losses in the future.<\/p>\n
RACHMAT BASOEKI S.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/concept-needed-to-promote-equality-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }