Disparity to blame for unrest

Disparity to blame for unrest

JAKARTA (JP): Social unrest in Indonesia has largely stemmed from the widening gulf between the rich and the poor, Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung said yesterday.

Economic disparity is a delicate issue that Indonesia should address properly, he said when addressing a conference on ABRI's civic mission in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

"Certain people and groups has always manipulated the issue to shape public opinion of the government for their personal political gains," he said.

Some may use it to hamper the 1997 general election, he said as reported by Antara.

Feisal said ABRI's civic mission aims to help people in rural areas improve their well-being and narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.

Experience has shown that the missions are good ways to address the issue of economic disparity and improve people's social solidarity in the villages, he claimed.

Meanwhile, Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono said troops on civic missions should work harder for better results in line with rising public demand.

"The missions have undoubtedly brought about positive results for the public," he said.

Hartono, who is in charge of the civic missions, said the 21 days available for every civic mission are not enough for participants to achieve the set target.

In some areas like Irian Jaya and Maluku, he said, the geographical conditions are so difficult, transportation means inadequate and infrastructure poor that participants have difficulties in getting their equipment to where it is needed. (imn)