Former VP stresses problem of disparity

Former VP stresses problem of disparity

JAKARTA (JP): Former vice president Sudharmono called on the
government yesterday to intensify efforts to address the widening
socioeconomic disparity in Indonesia.

Sudharmono warned that social injustices and the widening gulf
between the rich and the poor could be a fertile ground for
remnants of the now outlawed Indonesian Communist Party to regain
strength.

"The government should work hard to narrow the gap between the
rich and the poor," Sudharmono said.

Sudharmono said he agreed with Gen. (ret.) A.H. Nasution's
opinion that social justice is still far out of reach even though
Indonesia has been enjoying high economic growth.

"I think we all should introspect and think of what we should
do to overcome the socioeconomic disparity," said Sudharmono, now
commissioner of PT Dua Satu Tiga Puluh.

Dua Satu Tiga Puluh is a profit-oriented company chaired by
President Soeharto and established this year to raise funds for
the development of local aircraft by the state-owned IPTN
aircraft manufacturer.

Nasution, a former defense minister under the late president
Sukarno and an ex-chief of the Provisional People's Consultative
Assembly, said last weekend that social justice remains illusive
because corruption and collusion within the bureaucracy are
widespread.

Sudharmono suggested that the government stick to its "trilogy
of development" principle, which includes political stability,
economic growth and equal distribution of development and its
results.

Now that political stability has been achieved, the government
should focus on economic stability and equal distribution of
development, he added.

"As economic growth is sufficiently high and the fruits of
development are already there, now the resources should be
equally distributed across the country," he said.

Sudharmono also suggested that the government step up its
efforts to eradicate poverty through equal partnerships between
large and small companies, and between the rich and the poor.
(pan)