Setting an example<\/p>\n
The coming month of August is likely to remain in the memory
\nof the fishermen and their families who live in Muara Angke on
\nthe Bay of Jakarta. In that month 80 low-cost apartments, built
\nespecially for fishermen, are expected to be completed thanks to
\na Rp 1 billion (US$452,693) donation from the Gotong Royong Fund
\nFoundation, chaired by First Lady Tien Soeharto.<\/p>\n
According to Jakarta's Deputy Governor for People's Welfare,
\nR.S. Museno, the new apartments will be available only to
\nfishermen and their families, who can pay for them on an
\ninstallment basis. Each of the 21-square-meter apartments will
\ncost Rp 13.5 million, which the fishermen can pay in monthly
\ninstallments of Rp 80,000.<\/p>\n
The completion of the apartments at Muara Angke in August is
\nplanned to coincide with the celebration of the 50th anniversary
\nof Indonesia's independence and is part of a general improvement
\nplan for the village, which is one of the biggest concentrations
\nof poverty-ridden fishermen in Jakarta's bay area. No doubt the
\nallocation of the new apartments will help to give substance to
\nthe meaning of independence to Muara Angke's fishermen.<\/p>\n
As we see it, however, the significance of the Gotong Royong
\nFund Foundation's gesture, if followed through, could go far
\nbeyond that of merely helping destitute citizens salute their
\ncountry's independence. Fortunately, there is reason to believe
\nthat such hope is not unfounded.<\/p>\n
Earlier it was reported that 23 of this country's wealthiest
\nbusinessmen had donated a total of Rp 12.5 billion to upgrade
\nslum areas in several parts of Jakarta. Part of the money is
\nbeing used to build a low-cost apartment complex in Bidaracina,
\nin eastern Jakarta. It is scheduled to be dedicated by President
\nSoeharto next month.<\/p>\n
All this, obviously, sends a welcome signal to Jakarta's
\nneedy. The rich, who have enjoyed the opportunity to reach such
\nfinancial heights due to the nation's development programs, have
\nthe moral obligation to show their social responsibility toward
\nthe community. Besides, surely they understand that a widening
\nsocial gap will only lead to resentment, and thus to disunity and
\ninstability.<\/p>\n
The government has long warned Indonesians of this danger and
\nhas on various occasions reminded the rich that the potential for
\nsocial instability is likely to shift from the political and
\nideological fields to the economic and social sectors. Reminding
\npeople of this danger is not as easy as explaining economic
\ngrowth, which is measurable. Social solidarity, on the other
\nhand, is a matter of conscience and is impossible to measure in
\nnumbers.<\/p>\n
Of course, poverty in Indonesia is not limited to Jakarta.
\nElsewhere, too, trouble spots can emerge unless efforts are made
\nto bridge the gap between rich and poor, which many observers
\nperceive to be growing.<\/p>\n
On several occasions in this column we have pointed out the
\ntremendous contribution which private business can make towards
\neasing the social and economic disparities that exist -- a task
\nwhich is too heavy for the government to bear alone. It is to be
\nhoped that the example that is being given in Jakarta will be
\nfollowed in other areas of this country.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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