Celebrations focus on meaning of independence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): For the remainder of the year, Indonesians will
\nengage in a multitude of 50th anniversary activities with
\nnationhood and the Pancasila ideology as themes.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim, executive chairman of the National Committee for
\nthe 50th Independence Anniversary, told journalists yesterday
\nthat a host of both national and regional level activities are
\nplanned to enliven the occasion.<\/p>\n
He said the celebrations will focus on remembrance and
\nthanksgiving for the events of the past, which freed the nation,
\nwhile reflecting on the tasks tomorrow may bring. He said in no
\nway would the commemoration of the nation's independence be a
\nparty in which the participants have fun for one night and
\nhangovers the next morning.<\/p>\n
Under the theme of \"Expressing Reverence and Gratitude for
\nIndependence by Enhancing the Roots of Our Republic's Populace,\"
\nthe planned celebrations fall into three categories.<\/p>\n
The first category includes programs which reflect the five
\ntenets of the Pancasila ideology: belief in God, national unity,
\nconsensus through deliberation, humanism and social justice.<\/p>\n
The belief in god tenet will be carried out through a mass
\nIslamic religious gathering, or tabligh, here in Jakarta on Aug.
\n28.<\/p>\n
The committee's executive director, Cacuk Sudarijanto,
\nrevealed that various religious councils have issued guidelines
\nfor a thanksgiving prayer on Aug. 18.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Ulemas Council is urging Moslems to perform a
\nbow of thanks following the Friday prayers.<\/p>\n
The humanism and social justice tenet will manifest itself
\nthrough a national seminar on human rights which will take place
\nhere in December.<\/p>\n
The Arung Samudra '95 sailing extravaganza involving hundreds
\nof ships of various sizes from many countries is meant to
\nsymbolize the tenet of national unity. At the same time many
\ncultural events will take place throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The Pancasila principal, which bases itself on democratic
\nprinciples, be manifested through a nationwide celebration on
\nAug. 19. In Jakarta this celebration will be highlighted by a
\nlaser show donated by the French business community here in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The festive mood of the month will be felt strongly on
\nSaturday as the country's top dangdut music stars perform
\ntogether in Ancol, North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Dangdut is a highly popular music genre often identified with
\nIndonesia's lower economic class.<\/p>\n
For the fifth Pancasila principal of social justice, the
\ncommittee is apparently advocating a theme of social solidarity
\non a nationwide sale.<\/p>\n
Emil pointed out that he is calling on businesses to give
\nsomething back to the community by decreasing their profit
\nmargins to benefit the public in a giant sale.<\/p>\n
\"And this discount shouldn't be on used or defect goods
\neither,\" he said of the sale which is also scheduled for
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
Also on Saturday, various professional organizations, such as
\nthe Indonesian Doctors Association, will help start the upgrading
\nof traditional markets all over the country.<\/p>\n
\"Traditional markets are still very important for Indonesia's
\nlower economic class,\" Emil pointed out.<\/p>\n
Under the theme of invoking the feeling of nationhood, a
\nnational exhibition of revolutionary memorabilia will be held
\nthroughout Indonesia in December under the auspices of the
\nNational Archives and the Armed Forces History Center.<\/p>\n
Under the direction of the Ministry of Social Services, the
\nrepair and renovation of heroes memorials all over the country
\nwill be done in October.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim pointed out that the activities mentioned
\nconstitute only a few of the many planned for the various regions
\nthroughout the nation.<\/p>\n
He said regional events would be financed by their respective
\nadministrations, without unduly burdening the people, while the
\nnational-scale activities are financed with a budget of Rp 3.5
\nbillion (US$1.5 million) to be provided by the state secretariat.
\n(mds)<\/p>",
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