Soeharto warns against exaggerating disparity<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto appealed to the nation
\nyesterday not to blow the wealth disparity issue out of
\nproportion for it could lead to even more unrest.<\/p>\n
\"There is no need to exaggerate the issue of disparity without
\nproposing concrete strategies for addressing the problem for the
\nbenefit of the people,\" Soeharto was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
\"And don't use the issue to spark social unrest,\" he said when
\nopening a meeting of the Forum of Communication for Young Mosque
\nActivists at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
Many analysts have said the wide gulf between the rich and
\npoor, rather than religious or ethical differences, explained the
\nriots that rocked three towns in four months.<\/p>\n
The riots in Situbondo (East Java) and Tasikmalaya (West Java)
\nsaw rioters attacking property, including shops and churches. In
\nSanggau Ledo (West Kalimantan), the targets were properties
\nbelonging to migrants from East Java.<\/p>\n
Soeharto assured his young Moslem audience that the
\ngovernment's development program was aimed at improving the
\nwelfare of all members of society, particularly the poorest ones.<\/p>\n
Lifting the lot of people at the bottom layer of society meant
\nreducing the economic and social disparity, he said, adding that
\nthe government had resolved that the fruits of development would
\nbe enjoyed by all.<\/p>\n
The government, which has made concerted efforts at
\neradicating poverty, estimated the number of people in absolute
\npoverty fell to 22 million last year from nearly 26 million in
\n1993.<\/p>\n
The President last month decreed that individuals and
\ncorporations with after-tax incomes in excess of Rp 100 million
\nmust contribute a further two percent of their income toward a
\nspecial fund intended to help the poor.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said riots would not solve the problem of disparity.
\nBut riots would steal time, energy and mean material sacrifices
\nin order to restore conditions, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We should all be wise and responsible in judging the
\nsituation that develops in society,\" he added. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-warns-against-exaggerating-disparity-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}