Soeharto warns against exaggerating disparity

Soeharto warns against exaggerating disparity

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto appealed to the nation
yesterday not to blow the wealth disparity issue out of
proportion for it could lead to even more unrest.

"There is no need to exaggerate the issue of disparity without
proposing concrete strategies for addressing the problem for the
benefit of the people," Soeharto was quoted by Antara as saying.

"And don't use the issue to spark social unrest," he said when
opening a meeting of the Forum of Communication for Young Mosque
Activists at the State Palace.

Many analysts have said the wide gulf between the rich and
poor, rather than religious or ethical differences, explained the
riots that rocked three towns in four months.

The riots in Situbondo (East Java) and Tasikmalaya (West Java)
saw rioters attacking property, including shops and churches. In
Sanggau Ledo (West Kalimantan), the targets were properties
belonging to migrants from East Java.

Soeharto assured his young Moslem audience that the
government's development program was aimed at improving the
welfare of all members of society, particularly the poorest ones.

Lifting the lot of people at the bottom layer of society meant
reducing the economic and social disparity, he said, adding that
the government had resolved that the fruits of development would
be enjoyed by all.

The government, which has made concerted efforts at
eradicating poverty, estimated the number of people in absolute
poverty fell to 22 million last year from nearly 26 million in
1993.

The President last month decreed that individuals and
corporations with after-tax incomes in excess of Rp 100 million
must contribute a further two percent of their income toward a
special fund intended to help the poor.

Soeharto said riots would not solve the problem of disparity.
But riots would steal time, energy and mean material sacrifices
in order to restore conditions, he said.

"We should all be wise and responsible in judging the
situation that develops in society," he added. (emb)