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)