Don't play up differences in society: Soeharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned the people yesterday
\nagainst playing up differences between various groups in society
\nbecause it could sow seeds of instability.<\/p>\n
\"Let's not forget our commitment to become a united nation,\"
\nSoeharto said in a speech before participants of a leadership
\ncourse organized by the National Resilience Institute
\n(Lemhannas).<\/p>\n
\"Remember our motto `Unity in Diversity'. We're indeed diverse
\nbut we are resolved to remain united,\" he said at the Bina Graha
\npresidential office.<\/p>\n
The President urged the course participants instead to turn to
\nthe challenges and threats both from within and outside as
\nIndonesia continues with its nation-building endeavors.<\/p>\n
\"The external challenges are chiefly the negative excesses of
\nthe economic globalization process and the penetration of foreign
\nculture that come supported by their sophisticated technology and
\ninformation.\"<\/p>\n
He called for special attention to the issues of human rights,
\ndemocracy and the environment, which could be exploited to serve
\nthe interests of certain groups of people. \"If this happens, it
\nwill threaten the national development and weaken the nation's
\nresilience.\"<\/p>\n
Lemhannas is the Armed Forces' think-tank whose main task is
\nto formulate military concepts and doctrines.<\/p>\n
Recently the institute organized a seminar which reviewed the
\nfunctional relationship between the military command with
\ngovernment agencies and civil organizations in times of peace and
\nemergency.<\/p>\n
The result of the review has been presented to Soeharto, who
\nis also the Armed Forces (ABRI) supreme commander. The president
\nyesterday duly acknowledged the input and expressed his gratitude
\nfor the recommendations.<\/p>\n
Participants<\/p>\n
The institute, which comes under the Minister of Defense and
\nSecurity, also runs leadership courses which are open not only to
\nArmed Forces (ABRI) officers but also to civil organizations,
\nincluding the civil service, political parties and professional
\nassociations such as journalists.<\/p>\n
Lemhannas governor Lt. Gen. Moetojib reported to the president
\nthat the there were 95 participants in the ongoing course,
\nincluding 39 from ABRI. There was only one woman participant,
\nSulistiowati, the director general of general and administrative
\ncourt at the Ministry of Justice.<\/p>\n
The president yesterday gave a few hints to the course
\nparticipants of what it takes to become a good leader.<\/p>\n
A leader should be able to turn an obstacle into an
\nopportunity, make limitations into assets and be able to
\ninterpret and direct events while others are still wondering
\nabout them.<\/p>\n
A good leader must also be able to solicit the support of
\nothers or else he will have difficulty carrying out his task, he
\nsaid. \"That's why a leader must be very perceptive and have a
\nmature character.\" (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/dont-play-up-differences-in-society-soeharto-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}