Right approach

Right approach would win support

From Suara Karya

Poverty is a structural and multidimensional issue involving politics, social welfare and the economy, among other areas. This can be noticed in the low capacity of poor people to earn a living as they lack skills, equipment, capital and decent shelter.

Widespread poverty in the country is further worsened by high rates of unemployment and crime in major cities. The various government programs to overcome poverty by making society a major economic player have not yet been fruitful.

Such programs are, on the one hand, still bound by a formalistic approach with activities mostly under foreign direction. On the other hand, aid schemes are dominated by prominent rather than needy people.

Consequently, government programs fall short of fulfilling the actual needs of poor people and most aid packages even fail to reach their designed targets.

With increasing poverty in both rural and urban regions, the approach to, and system, of poverty relief in Indonesia should be improved, so as to win public support and ensure better results.

SYAMSUDDIN ASHAR Bulukumba, South Sulawesi