Nation's sense of humanitarianism invoked<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, invoking the people's sense
\nof humanitarianism, called yesterday for their wholehearted
\nsupport for the activities of the Indonesian Red Cross.<\/p>\n
In his speech, at a ceremony at the Merdeka Palace to install
\nthe Red Cross new board of executives, Soeharto said \"a strong
\nsense of humanitarianism is the main force of the strong, to give
\na lending hand to the weak.\"<\/p>\n
\"By answering the call of humanitarianism .. we can live in a
\nworld that guarantees common progress, prosperity and justice for
\nall mankind.\"<\/p>\n
The new Red Cross board is chaired by Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana,
\nthe president's daughter and a successful businesswoman in her
\nown right. She replaced Ibnu Soetowo, a businessman and a former
\npresident of the state oil company Pertamina, who had served two
\nfour-year terms on the board.<\/p>\n
Hardiyanti, more popularly known as Mbak Tutut, also presented
\nthe 23-member executive board, which she helped select following
\nher appointment to chair the board.<\/p>\n
She selected Soesanto Mangoensadjito as secretary general and
\nWidarsadipraja as treasurer. The rest of the board comprises of
\ngovernment officials, public figures, including businessmen
\nPrajogo Pangestu and Henry Pribadi, and Hediyanto, the executive
\nwho runs some of the charity foundations chaired by President
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
Mbak Tutut also presented the line up of the seven-person Red
\nCross Advisory Board led by Coordinating Minister for People's
\nWelfare Azwar Anas. Ibnu Sutowo is the board's deputy chairman.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Soeharto underlined that humanitarianism is one
\nof the five tenets of the state ideology Pancasila and therefore
\nit should always be part of people's everyday lives.<\/p>\n
\"On this occasion I would like to appeal to people from all
\nlevels of society to actively take part in the humanitarian
\nactivities of the Indonesian Red Cross.\"<\/p>\n
Through participation, people will share the suffering of
\ntheir fellow human beings, he said. \"This will also invoke their
\nsense of solidarity which can be a major force to the success of
\nnational development.\"<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Red Cross was established by a presidential
\ndecree in 1950. Although an independent body, the Red Cross works
\nclosely with the government and follows the guidelines outlined
\nby the government.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also called for the Red Cross to further strengthen
\nits organization and its programs, underlining that very often it
\nhas to undertake emergency measures when natural disasters
\nstrike.<\/p>\n
\"The Red Cross must be on constant alert. Any delay could
\ncause even more suffering. Quick action, on the other hand, can
\nreduce suffering, and could even save lives.\"<\/p>\n
He suggested that the new Red Cross executive board bolster
\nthe size of the Red Cross Corps of Volunteers and also strengthen
\nthe Red Cross Youth movement.<\/p>\n
Mbak Tutut, who turns 46 years old on Jan. 23, is no stranger
\nto social projects and mobilizing the younger generation. She was
\nwidely accredited for the highly successful national youth
\nmarches which she organizes annually to mark the national social
\nsolidarity day.<\/p>\n
Besides running a growing business empire, she is also active
\nin Golkar, the ruling political organization, seated as deputy
\nchairperson on the executive board.(emb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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