JK Warns Of Social Tension As Result Of Widening Economic Gap

Jakarta, Aug 28 (Antara) - Vice President elect Jusuf Kalla (JK) warns of the danger of social tension as a result of lopsided economic development in the country. "No country has advanced without equitable advancement in economic development," Jusuf Kalla said while addressing a discussion held by the Indonesian Real Estate (REI) here on Thursday. He said the ratio of income between high and low income people in Indonesia had reached 0.43. He said countries in Middle East and northern Africa faced "Arab Spring" social unrest when the income ratio was at around 0.45. "It would be worse if the ratio reached 0.5" he said. The government, therefore, should take control especially in city planning, as it is estimated that in 2020, around 60 percent of the country`s population will live in urban areas, he said. He said social problem is more potential in urban areas where as lopsidedness is sharper than in rural areas. He pointed to condition in Jakarta where there are many skyscrapers with slump areas in the neighborhood.