DENPASAR ~

Bali Governor Made Pastika wanted the perfect solution to overcome economic inequality in Bali.

“I ask all component to work together to find a solution towards inequality. Do not let this discrepancy become worse,” he said in Bali Development Program Evaluation Meeting Quarter IV / 2014, in Denpasar, on Thursday.

Pastika stated that to respond the report of the Head of the Bureau of Economic and Development of Bali Provincial, Made Suarjana.

Suarjana elaborated on the economic imbalance that is likely to increase. In 2000, Bali’s gross domestic product (PDRB) is still enjoyed by 40 percent of people with low income or poor category.

Whereas today, only 16.32 percent of the community who enjoy the PDRB of economic growth Bali. “In other words, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer,” he said.

According to him, the high rate of inflation to be one of the triggers of this trend. Until December 2014, the inflation rate has reached 8.43 percent. This condition is caused by several factors such as increasing fuel price that followed by the skyrocketing prices of essential goods.

On that occasion, Pastika also directly asked for opinion from Economic Expert Staff, I Dewa Putu Sunartha and Assistant Economic Development and Social Welfare Ketut Wija.

Sunartha suggested the need to improve in planning the comprehensive government programs specifically aimed at poverty reduction.

“The governor has the authority to evaluate the draft regulations of regencies so that the program can work in line with the provinces. In addition, the allocation of funds should be more focused on basic services which are right on target,” he said.

Meanwhile Ketut Wija suggested the need for short-term solutions, the medium to long term. For long-term, fundamental thing that should be emphasized is the field of education through the provision of quality services and the deployment of the quality of education in favor of poor family. In addition, an improvement in the health sector is also an important part of a long-term solution.

While the medium-term solution can be reached through the acceleration of infrastructure access such as roads, irrigations, electricity and others into rural areas.

In addition, he proposed that 10 per cent investment in Bali tourism to be directed to capital livestock, agriculture and handicrafts. While the short-term is more focused to reduce costs and raise revenues.

Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia (BI) of Bali Office stated that the positive economic growth on the island is still considered not able to cover issues of economic disparity or inequality.

“This is reflected in the increasing number gap and the average community development from area outside Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan (Sarbagita) which are relatively lower,” said Chief Representative of Bank Indonesia Bali Province Dewi Setyowati in Denpasar on Friday.

She gave an example of Buleleng and Karangasem Regency that actually have the tourism potential such as Lovina, Amed, Tulamben is not optimally managed due to the bad road access.

The businessman, she said, is expected to take a glance to areas outside Sarbagita regions particularly related to the development of food production and tourism sectors.