Azrul Azwar named chief of family planning body<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Family Planning Association
\n(PKBI) concluded its tenth congress Saturday electing Azrul Azwar
\nas its new chairman for 1997-2000.<\/p>\n
Azrul will replace Kartono Mohammad who has chaired the
\norganization for two periods. Azrul, who is also chairman of the
\nIndonesian Medical Association, was elected leader of the
\norganization following a great show of support from branches in
\nSumatra and Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
The organization, which has played an important role in
\nhelping educate the public about population growth control, was
\nestablished in 1957.<\/p>\n
The congress, opened Thursday by State Minister of Population
\nHaryono Suyono, also appointed prominent ulema Ali Yafie of the
\nIndonesian Council of Ulemas as a honorary member.<\/p>\n
During the opening, Haryono, who is also chairman of the
\nNational Family Planning Board, suggested that the nonprofit,
\nnongovernmental organization rebuild itself into a cooperative or
\na business enterprise to better equip it to deal with population
\nissues amid increasingly stiff competition.<\/p>\n
\"We need an independent, progressive and reliable
\norganization,\" he said. If the association wishes to restructure
\nitself as a cooperative, its members will still be able to pick
\nprograms that are in line with the goals of the organization's
\nfounders.<\/p>\n
The association may also establish business enterprises. As of
\nnow, the organization has received financial assistance from many
\ninstitutions.<\/p>\n
\"By developing business enterprises or cooperatives, the
\norganization will be able to provide better reproductive health
\nservices to the public, services which reach families,\" Haryono
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Kartono said Haryono's suggestion was realistic, given the
\nneed for the association to be more independent. The current
\nstatus of the NGO is still considered relevant, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe we'll establish units of business under PKBI, not
\ncooperatives or business companies as suggested,\" Kartono said.
\n(23\/swe)<\/p>",
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