GAINING INSIGHT INTO THE CONDITION OF POVERTY IN INDONESIA

Among the many causes of poverty,

including corruption, a centralized
government, the lack of education access,
and overpopulation, there are several
fundamental problems that cause the nation
to become trapped in the endless cycle of
poverty. Before delving into the matter, we
must first engage in self-introspection and
ponder our personal view of the underprivileged.

In 2009, there were around 32.53 million poor people in Indonesia. The number decreased in 2010 to
about 31.02 million people, with 15 million of them living in Java. On the other hand, the largest
percentage of underprivileged people could be found in Papua Province (36%), West Papua (34.88%) and
Maluku (27.74%).

According to the BPS definition, poverty is the inability to fulfill basic needs such as food. This means
that the poor are people with below average monthly expenses.

Although the poverty rate declined last year, with the possibility of declining again in 2011, we cant just
sit around waiting for the government to act. To view the poverty issue with an open mind, we must first
know the fundamental causes of poverty.

There are three causes of poverty in developing countries. The first cause is Cultural Characteristics that
supports or hampers development in a country. To give an example, an underprivileged society has
adapted itself to a certain life burden and way of thinking that causes an unbroken cycle of poverty.

The second cause is the poverty label that classify people who are socially and economically lacking as
underprivileged by others or by a more dominant society, causing them to lose their voice and to be
branded as negative. The worst that could happen is justification of the inequality that leads to the view
that the underprivileged are deserving of their living conditions.

Thirdly, poverty restricts the opportunity of individuals. Because underprivileged people live in unstable
conditions and lack capital (both social and economic), the character and knowledge in making
decisions, transactions, interactions or any other activities are also lacking.

Indonesia is one of the top 10 developing countries in the world, with the number of people living under
the poverty level accounting for 13.33% of the total population (CIA, 2010). According to UNDP
observation in the same year, 29.4% of Indonesians have daily earnings of less than US$1.25 or about
Rp11,250 on average.

Indonesia has abundant natural resources if only they are managed well. By looking at the fundamental
causes of poverty more realistically, we can surmise that underprivileged people only need to be
reminded of their roles, not as underprivileged people, but as part of the Indonesian society that, when
united, can improve the nation.

The best way to deal with the issue of poverty is through education. With the large number of people
denied access to education, coupled with the lack of awareness of the importance of education, the
government and the private sector should hold campaigns to promote the importance of education
throughout Indonesia. By aggressively and routinely educating underprivileged people about the
importance of education, they will be encouraged to seek access to education, especially for their
children. The second phase will be to provide education access for the underprivileged so that they could
improve their welfare.

Putera Sampoerna Foundation cares about this issue and holds the Pathway to Leadership program to
help improve the condition. The aim of this program is to create 1,000 leaders every year that will
eventually improve their communities.

In commemoration of Youths Pledge Day, let us examine the national unity we should have built as a
nation. Lets set aside all the ways of thinking that could hinder the progress of the Indonesian nation,
including by contributing towards the development of underprivileged people. To quotePutera
Sampoernain his blog, Together, we can make a difference!
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