Frans Seda stresses dignity<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In a collection of articles to celebrate his
\n70th birthday, former cabinet minister Frans Seda notes the
\nimportance of human dignity in developing a skilled and
\nproductive labor force in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In a lavish dinner reception attended by a select list of 500
\nguests at the Hilton Hotel yesterday, Seda launched his book
\nKekuasaan dan Moral: Politik Ekonomi Masyarakat Indonesia Baru
\n(Power and Moralityz The Politics of Economics in Indonesia's New
\nSociety).<\/p>\n
Over 550 pages long, the book is the second compilation of
\nSeda's writings.<\/p>\n
The first was launched five years ago and titled Simponi Tanpa
\nHenti: Ekonomi Politik Masyarakat Baru Indonesia (Uninterrupted
\nSymphony: The Political Economy of Indonesia's New Society).<\/p>\n
In the latest book, 116 of Seda's articles are compiled. They
\ncover three main subjects: the political situation and condition
\nof the 1990s, the state of national economics in the 1990s and
\nchallenges to Indonesia's education system.<\/p>\n
In his articles on educational challenges, Seda points out
\nthat the potential of Indonesia's natural resources will only be
\ntapped if the human mind is allowed to be creative in doing so.<\/p>\n
The failure to develop human resources is the failure of the
\nnation's education system, he argues.<\/p>\n
\"It is proven by the many unemployed from the ranks of the
\nfreshly graduated, while on the other hand we also see many
\nvacancies,\" writes Seda.<\/p>\n
To improve human resources, Seda urges that human beings not
\nbe evaluated solely in terms of productivity.<\/p>\n
Sociologist Ignas Kleden, who spoke on the book at the dinner,
\nsaid that manpower productivity has assumed so much importance
\nthat man risks reducing his dignity to the point where he becomes
\na mere economic consideration.<\/p>\n
\"Man is not just a production factor, and he therefore is
\neligible for special treatment, one which is different from the
\ntreatment of other production factors like capital and
\ntechnology,\" Kleden said in his oration.<\/p>\n
Success story<\/p>\n
Franciscus Xaverius Seda was born in Flores, East Nusa
\nTenggara, on Oct. 4, 1926. His rise to power is a success story
\noften cited as a model for young people coming from Indonesia's
\neastern regions.<\/p>\n
He held several political and cabinet positions during the
\nadministration of first president Sukarno and during the New
\nOrder government.<\/p>\n
He served as head of the now defunct Indonesian Catholic Party
\nin the early 1960s and has held four cabinet posts, including
\nminister of finance, minister of agriculture, minister of
\ntransportation and minister of tourism.<\/p>\n
Seda also served as Indonesia's ambassador to Belgium and the
\nEuropean Economic Community for three years starting in 1973. He
\nlater earned a position on the Supreme Advisory Board.<\/p>\n
A devout Catholic and innovator in the education field, Seda
\nfounded and is the head of Atma Jaya University in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The weight of Seda's work was reflected by the distinguished
\nguest list at the dinner which included former minister and head
\nof national development planning board Widjojo Nitisastro, who
\nalso gave an address.<\/p>\n
Others attending included ousted Indonesian Democratic Party
\nleader Megawati Soekarnoputri, former governor of Jakarta Ali
\nSadikin and former Armed Fores commander L.B. Moerdani.<\/p>\n
Kleden also touched on Seda's political beliefs, which he said
\nshould not be rooted in a wariness of the past.<\/p>\n
\"As such, according to the book, politics based on political
\ntrauma is not good politics. An obsession with political trauma
\nis equal to closing oneself off from a bitter reality and
\nprevents someone from accepting new possibilities,\" Kleden said.<\/p>\n
The discussion on economics in Seda's book looks at market
\nmechanisms and their relation to morality.<\/p>\n
Seda points out that while power and economics are
\nintertwined, economic actors are prone to market forces which
\ninclude responses to human factors and cultural values. (mds)<\/p>",
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