PDI brings disparities, injustices into spotlight<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
\nis poised to scrutinize economic disparity, social injustice and
\nlack of freedom of expression when it marks its 23rd anniversary
\non Jan. 10.<\/p>\n
These topics will be discussed in a seminar in Ambon, Maluku,
\nfeaturing well-known speakers such as Gen. (ret) Soemitro,
\neconomist Christianto Wibisono and law expert J.E. Sahetapy.<\/p>\n
The festivities, scheduled to open in Ambon on Jan. 9 and
\nclose in Jakarta in May, will also include charitable activities,
\norganizing committee chief Ismunandar said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The one-day seminar in Ambon aims at seeking solutions to the
\neconomic, social and political problems that the PDI sees as
\nworsening, he said.<\/p>\n
The PDI, a nationalist-Christian alliance, feels that despite
\nrapid economic growth, the gulf between the rich and poor in
\nIndonesia is widening.<\/p>\n
Economic disparity also occurs between regions. Eastern
\nprovinces are much less developed than western ones because most
\neconomic activities are concentrated in Java.<\/p>\n
\"We see economic imbalances in terms of income distribution
\nand business opportunities,\" Ismunandar said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, Ismunandar said, has yet to develop better respect
\nfor human rights and bring about democracy.<\/p>\n
\"The continuing ban on gatherings, closure of newspapers and
\ntravel bans are all indications that the people have not enjoyed
\ntheir sovereignty,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Although Indonesia believes in the supremacy of the rule of
\nlaw, courts are still siding with the powerful and the
\nbureaucracy, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Legal uncertainty still reigns,\" Ismunandar said. \"For
\nexample, a Supreme Court verdict can be overturned by a personal
\nmemo from the Chief Justice.\"<\/p>\n
Ismunandar was referring to Chief Justice Soerjono who
\noverruled a Supreme Court decision which favored an Irian Jaya
\nnative who won a US$8.5 million legal battle with the local
\ngovernment last year. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdi-brings-disparities-injustices-into-spotlight-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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