Concept needed to promote equality

Concept needed to promote equality

From Merdeka

Macroeconomic data should make us aware that the potential for
conflicts triggered by economic disparity is very high. The
disparity between national and foreign businesspeople, between
the rich and the poor and between indigenous and non-indigenous
people is widening.

Although our GDP is an annual US$3,500 per capita, the amount
received as GNP is only $960, meaning that $2,540 goes to the
foreign investor and creditor.

Per capita income is not distributed evenly among Indonesian
citizens, because 80 percent of the nation's economic activities
are conducted by 300 conglomerate groups. More than 100 million
Indonesians have only 20 percent of the national economic cake.

Of the 300 business groups, non-indigenous businesspeople
control 224 groups. Indigenous businesses are represented by 76
groups only and their assets are less than 20 percent of the
total assets of the conglomerates.

The disparity has been felt in all economic sectors, revealing
the limited access indigenous Indonesians have to financing. If
GNP were better distributed, a married official with three
children would earn Rp 1 million a month. But in reality
government officials, both civil and military, receive salaries
below the national average. In this condition of poverty, it is
not surprising that many officials are easily bought by
businesses (indigenous, non-indigenous as well as foreign) with
money to spend. Consequently, the people who should be defended
by officials are not protected when they are confronted by
businesses.

It is the little people that become victims of injustice in
matters regarding the law, land, manpower and economy. The result
is poverty, unemployment and crime. Such unfinished business
leads to a vicious circle and could give rise to conflicts which
could easily explode.

A rational way out must be found to reduce the potential for
conflicts and economic disparities should be discussed in an open
and responsible way.

Malaysia used to have similar social and racial problems.
After the 1969 racial riots, in which hundreds of citizens of
Chinese origin were the victims, Malaysia introduced the concept
of a New Economic Policy based on the formula of 30:40:30.

All government projects were allocated according to the
formula, i.e. 30 percent to Malaysians, 40 percent to Chinese and
Indians, and 30 percent to foreign contractors. Under this
concept of equitable economic distribution, Malaysia has been
free of racial riots for 30 years. Malaysians, Chinese and
Indians live in harmony and are increasingly prosperous.

We, who have Pancasila, should also create a just and rational
concept for equitable economic distribution to prevent the
occurrence of riots like the ones in Situbondo and Tasikmalaya
recently, which could cause even greater losses in the future.

RACHMAT BASOEKI S.

Jakarta