Indonesians get ASEAN achievement awards<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Two Indonesians have emerged among the 10
\nprominent people receiving awards from the ASEAN Business Forum
\nfor their distinguished achievements in certain sectors.<\/p>\n
The awards were presented by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
\nMohamad in a gala dinner at the Crown Princess Hotel here on
\nFriday evening.<\/p>\n
The two Indonesians, selected among competitors in the
\nAssociation of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), are Wiratman
\nWangsadinata, who received an award for his distinguished
\nachievement in engineering, and Susi Susanti in badminton
\nchampionship.<\/p>\n
The other eight award winners are Leandro V. Locsin of the
\nPhilippines for achievement in architecture, Ramon Orlina of the
\nPhilippines in visual arts, Dr. Teera Ramasoota of Thailand in
\nmedicine, Seree Vangnaitham of Thailand in arts, Hor Tzi Sum of
\nSingapore in science, Ee Peng Liang of Singapore in community
\nservice, Gan Yik Yuen of Malaysia in research and development and
\nTeh Hong Piow of Malaysia in business.<\/p>\n
Teh was also declared as ASEAN businessman of the year.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore and Thailand.<\/p>\n
Initiative<\/p>\n
The ASEAN Business Forum initiated achievement awards three
\nyears ago with an aim of honoring ASEAN figures who have made
\nsignificant contributions in their disciplines and communities.<\/p>\n
The forum, established in 1991 with an initial membership of
\nonly 45, currently has 165 member companies in the ASEAN region.<\/p>\n
"Not only do the forum's members become better known in the
\nregion but they also receive international recognition," said the
\nforum's president, Aburizal Bakrie of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Aburizal, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of
\nCommerce (Kadin), explained that while business is a paramount
\nconcern of the forum, it also recognizes the importance of
\ninitiating programs beneficial to the ASEAN community.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the development of the forum, Mahathir
\nunderlined the importance of ASEAN's private sector, which is the
\nmain engine of growth in the region.<\/p>\n
"Governments can provide political security and infrastructure
\nbut it is the businessmen who have to exploit the commercial
\nopportunities in the region," he said.<\/p>\n
In front of ASEAN's top business persons, Mahathir noted that
\nforging trade ties is an effective way of forging ASEAN
\nsolidarity.<\/p>\n
"We need not focus on political or military alliances," he
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Aburizal said that members of the forum have improved
\ncooperation among themselves in business activities, including
\nthe establishment of joint ventures worth over US$400 million.<\/p>\n
"After the establishment of a $650 million power plant, now
\nbeing jointly built in North Sumatra by SIKAP Bhd. of Malaysia
\nand PT Bukaka of Indonesia, the total investment for joint
\nventures will top one billion dollars.(mds)<\/p>",
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