Promoting responsible corporate players<\/p>\n
Jakob Oetama, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Before the 60th anniversary of Independence Day, (the late)
\nNurcholish "Cak Nur" Madjid and Paramadina University took
\ninitiatives to participate in the celebration of the historic
\nday. The proposed theme of the event was "renewing our mutual
\ncommitment for an independent Indonesia". Apart from Cak Nur's
\noration, the ceremony incorporated the speeches of prominent
\nfigures who represented the pluralism of Indonesia. The country's
\nformer presidents were urged to attend the ceremony.<\/p>\n
We at Kompas formally invited various parties, including
\nbusinesspeople to participate through their attendance and
\nfinancial contribution. In a short time, we stimulated their
\ninterest and all went according to plan, although, of all the
\nformer presidents, only Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid was present.<\/p>\n
I cited this new experience as an example of the corporate
\npublic responsibility of various circles, including the business
\ncommunity. The business community has sincere good will and is
\nready to participate. But to convince them of a project's worth
\nalso requires credibility and goodwill.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 22, one of Indonesian senior economists, Sarbini
\nSumawinata, celebrated his 87th birthday in a public lecture. The
\ntheme was on the "Cultural Revolution".<\/p>\n
Although he used the term "Cultural Revolution", he spoke more
\non what could be described as cultural reform -- cultural reform
\nand capitalism reform.<\/p>\n
Specifically, he made the observation that capitalism is
\nundergoing changes from within. That is why the economic system
\nhas not abated as Karl Marx confidently predicted. In addition to
\nthe sciences, technology, industry, trade and the information
\ntechnology revolution, capitalism does not abrogate because it
\nreforms itself; from within and outside.<\/p>\n
The problems of capitalism from within are clearly described
\nin the book Spiritual Capital, which was written by Danah Zahar
\nand Ian Marshall. The sub-heading of the book is Wealth We Can
\nLive By Using Our Rational, Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence
\nto Transform Ourselves and Corporate Culture.<\/p>\n
Corporate culture is all at once the continuation or
\nconsequence and motivation of reform against capitalism. That is
\nwhy the topic of discussion by the Organizing Committee was also
\nentitled "Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies Through
\nCollaboration".<\/p>\n
In an Indonesian context, I am one of those who have expressed
\nthoughts and indeed warnings on the position and role of business
\nin reform. The public and societal leaders are very vocal on the
\nsubject of state reform, namely democracy and human rights. Keen
\nattention has also been shown to the ideas of civil and social
\nreforms.<\/p>\n
However, when it comes to the presence of the third state,
\nthat is the market-economy stage and its business players and
\nnetworks, they have not been as responsive.<\/p>\n
Civil society is more progressive in its ideas on pro-
\ndemocracy, citizen-oriented and human rights issues than on the
\neconomic-market stage, where it still sticks to the past.<\/p>\n
The bad experiences of the past, like collusion, corruption
\nand nepotism, the misuse of bank loans and other ill practices
\nare not confined to the past.<\/p>\n
We must learn from the past. Justice and a sense of justice
\nmust be fostered by society. However, along with the
\naforementioned suggestions, a constructive and critical
\norientation should be adopted, namely to reform the market
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
The economic market in Indonesia -- willingly or otherwise --
\nmust be based on a mutual agreement, which is described as a
\n"Just and Civilized Humanity" and as "Social Justice for the
\nWhole of the People of Indonesia" in the 1945 Constitution. It is
\na market economy aimed at creating prosperity for all of the
\nnation's people.<\/p>\n
Such a concept is also mentioned in Spiritual Capital.<\/p>\n
In the book, Danah Zonar and Ian Marshall pointed out that
\nbusinesses and corporations that incorporate "spiritual capital"
\n(or "intelligence") are those that seek more inclusive and wider
\nobjectives.<\/p>\n
Meaning and value are always incorporated. There is vision and
\ninspiration. The desire to constantly improve human values like
\nlife, health, communication, education, meeting basic human
\nneeds, sustaining global ecology and reinforcing a sense of
\nexcellence and pride in service.<\/p>\n
Companies that are compassionate promote a sense of fellowship
\nwith all related parties. If they become aware of the needs or
\nthe suffering of other people, within their sphere of influence
\nin particular, they assume responsibility for doing something to
\nimprove the situation.<\/p>\n
Business motivation -- for both leaders and players -- is
\nconcerned with more than just profit. They care about the future
\nof both humanity and the environment, striving for fulfillment.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, they are guided by both intellectual and practical
\nknowledge. A supportive attitude, trust, hard work, the
\nappreciation of achievement and innovation, education, a frugal
\nand honest attitude and the recognition of collaboration are all
\nvalues they hold dear.<\/p>\n
Thus, jobs are created, advances in technology achieved,
\nemployees and the community appreciated, as well as paying tax
\nand learning to be socially responsible.<\/p>\n
In the context of reforms of the economy and businesses,
\nsocial responsibility is not something outside business but a
\npart of the business or the corporation itself.<\/p>\n
As an illustration, I use my own experience in the Kompas
\nGramedia Group. Our core business is information and
\ncommunication (although there is some extension in other fields),
\nthrough the newspaper, magazines, books, radio and television.<\/p>\n
Our business is one of information, communications, education
\nand enlightenment. That is why, my group has quickly become
\nengaged in social responsibility, in education and enlightenment.<\/p>\n
It is true that many intellectuals of this country have
\ncontact with us, in one way or another. We are very aware of the
\nfact that Indonesia is a pluralistic society, which our founding
\nfather called Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), almost
\nthe same as the American E pluribus unum.<\/p>\n
Our interactions with young intellectuals and those of the
\nfuture come in various forms, including hosting meetings and
\nwriting courses, organizing and facilitating discussions,
\nproviding space for their intellectual endeavors in various
\nfields and providing various scholarship -- from full to partial
\nscholarship.<\/p>\n
For the sake of progress, mutual understanding, mutual trust
\nand the strengthening of solidarity, we give great attention to
\nthe enrichment of an open society.<\/p>\n
We believe in an open, trusting and cooperative Indonesia,
\nqualities which I believe need the attention of other businesses
\nand corporations here.<\/p>\n
Through their businesses, activities and institutions,
\nbusiness players must embrace the principle of Bhina Tunggal Ika.<\/p>\n
There are at least two reasons why it is important. It was a
\ncolonial design, that business was geared toward "Foreign
\nEasterners" or Oosterlingen, namely the Chinese and Indians.
\nBecause the number of people of Chinese ethnicity was higher,
\nmore of them were active in business. That was the condition
\nafter Indonesia's independence -- it is a legacy of the past.<\/p>\n
After Indonesia's independence, most of the people of Chinese
\nethnicity became Indonesian citizens. But the colonial legacy
\ncontinues in various practices, policies, treatments and
\nattitudes.<\/p>\n
It is not conducive for healthy business development, nor for
\nIndonesia's nation-building.<\/p>\n
This is the reason why the market economy and businesses need
\nto be reformed. Business players and their networks are not
\nmanipulated tools that in turn become manipulative. Business
\nplayers have responsibility and commitment like political players
\nand activists of civil society.<\/p>\n
There is no more discrimination among citizens in their rights
\nand obligations. The obligation and commitment of business
\nplayers is needed to develop the economy, and with that
\ndevelopment would come improvements to the lives of all
\nIndonesian citizens. Protection should not be through power --
\nwhich is prone to collusion -- but via legal means.<\/p>\n
We must promote -- through mutual trust, control and
\ninteraction -- the growth of businesses in a reformed market
\neconomy and foster the social responsibility of business players,
\ncorporations and companies.<\/p>\n
The writer is the chairman of Kompas-Gramedia Group.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/promoting-responsible-corporate-players-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }