Disparity to blame for unrest<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Social unrest in Indonesia has largely stemmed
\nfrom the widening gulf between the rich and the poor, Armed
\nForces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Economic disparity is a delicate issue that Indonesia should
\naddress properly, he said when addressing a conference on ABRI's
\ncivic mission in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
"Certain people and groups has always manipulated the issue to
\nshape public opinion of the government for their personal
\npolitical gains," he said.<\/p>\n
Some may use it to hamper the 1997 general election, he said
\nas reported by Antara.<\/p>\n
Feisal said ABRI's civic mission aims to help people in rural
\nareas improve their well-being and narrow the gap between the
\nrich and the poor.<\/p>\n
Experience has shown that the missions are good ways to
\naddress the issue of economic disparity and improve people's
\nsocial solidarity in the villages, he claimed.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono said troops on
\ncivic missions should work harder for better results in line with
\nrising public demand.<\/p>\n
"The missions have undoubtedly brought about positive results
\nfor the public," he said.<\/p>\n
Hartono, who is in charge of the civic missions, said the 21
\ndays available for every civic mission are not enough for
\nparticipants to achieve the set target.<\/p>\n
In some areas like Irian Jaya and Maluku, he said, the
\ngeographical conditions are so difficult, transportation means
\ninadequate and infrastructure poor that participants have
\ndifficulties in getting their equipment to where it is needed.
\n(imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/disparity-to-blame-for-unrest-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}