President sets up committee for RI anniversary<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): This year's golden anniversary of Indonesia's
\nindependence will be dedicated to the people and to expressing
\ngratitude to God Almighty, the government says.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday the
\nformation of a national committee to organize the celebration of
\nIndonesia's 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n
Presidential Executive Order No. 7, issued on Feb. 3,
\nappointed Moerdiono as chairman of the national committee which
\nincludes a number of well known figures within and outside of the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Emil Salim, the former environmental minister, is executive
\nchairman of the committee, senior diplomat Nana Sutresna is his
\ndeputy and Cacuk Sudarijanto, former president of state
\ntelecommunication company PT Telkom, is the executive director.<\/p>\n
The inclusion of Cacuk, considered one of Indonesia's finest
\nmanagers, raised eyebrows among government watchers because he
\nwas removed from Telkom in controversial circumstances in 1992, a
\nsubtle suggestion that his government career was over.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, the four men reported to President Soeharto at his
\nJl. Cendana residence.<\/p>\n
\"Fifty years is quite a long period for us to reflect on. This
\nis a time to look at what we have achieved, our strengths and our
\nweaknesses, so that we can confront the future,\" Moerdiono
\ncommented.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, he said, wanted the anniversary not only to remind
\nthe nation of what has been done in 50 years of independence, but
\nto illustrate what the nation has not yet achieved.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the presence of 25 million Indonesians still
\nliving below the poverty line as a case in point.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, according to Emil, stressed two major themes of the
\nanniversary: dedication to the people, and thanking God for 50
\nyears of independence.<\/p>\n
\"We fulfill our thanks to God by strengthening the republic's
\nroots. If it wasn't for the common people -- rather than those
\nwho wear neckties -- this nation would not have been
\nestablished,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The activities, whether those organized by the government or
\nprivate organizations, must not be turned into profit-oriented
\nprojects, Emil paraphrased the President as saying.<\/p>\n
\"If there are seminars, the speakers shouldn't ask for
\npayment. If newspapers run Independence Day ads or logos they
\nshouldn't charge a fee. Do all of this in the spirit of
\ntogetherness. Don't try to get rich through the celebrations.\"<\/p>\n
One national event already included in the agenda is a mass
\nprayer on Aug. 18, Emil explained. It was on this date that the
\n1945 Constitution was enacted. Emil said he would be consulting
\nwith the country's religious leaders about the agenda.<\/p>\n
\"Traditional folk celebrations, exhibitions and other similar
\nfestivities will be held not only in Jakarta but throughout the
\ncountry,\" he assured, adding the committee would travel to all 27
\nprovinces to promote the idea.<\/p>\n
The committee is counting on countries which lent support in
\nthe republic's early years to contribute, he said.<\/p>\n
Emil said the Australian labor movement and the Myanmar
\ngovernment supported the independence movement in 1945; India
\norganized a conference that paved the way for Indonesia's
\nadmission to the United Nations; Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the
\nfirst countries to recognize Indonesia. These countries as well
\nas Belgium and the United States are expected to participate.<\/p>\n
\"We want to revive the spirit the republic had when it was
\nfounded,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Dutch Queen Beatrix has confirmed that she will visit
\nIndonesia in August to take part in the 50th independence day
\ncelebrations.<\/p>\n
Indonesian leaders proclaimed independence on Aug. 17, 1945,
\nbut it took four-and-half years of fighting before the
\nNetherlands, which ruled the territory known as the Dutch East
\nIndies for three and half centuries, agreed to recognize
\nIndonesia's sovereignty. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-sets-up-committee-for-ri-anniversary-1447893297",
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