Zaim campaigns for philanthropy<\/p>\n
A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Some people may still recognize Zaim Saidi as a consumer rights
\nactivist, although he is now focusing most of his attention on
\nphilanthropic campaigns in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"There is a connection between consumer rights advocacy and
\nphilanthropy, and that is social welfare,\" said Zaim who is
\nchairman of the Public Interest Research and Advocacy Center
\n(PIRAC).<\/p>\n
The 42-year-old from Parakan, Central Java, says corporate
\nphilanthropic activities in Indonesia began to increase during
\nthe economic crisis in 1997.<\/p>\n
Before the crisis, he said, corporate donations were channeled
\nthrough foundations owned by former President Soeharto and the
\narmy so the public was not aware of the extent of the
\nphilanthropy of the business sector.<\/p>\n
Since the downfall of Soeharto in 1998, many companies have
\nset up their own foundations and conducted charitable activities
\nthrough them.<\/p>\n
He said many fund-raising agencies, such as the Dompet Duafa
\n(Purse for the Poor), had reported a significant increase in
\ncontributions although the economic crisis had started to fade.<\/p>\n
Zaim said Indonesians were accustomed to donating to
\ncharitable causes, including Indonesian Muslims who were obliged
\nto give zakat (alms) and shodaqoh (donations).<\/p>\n
\"Ninety-eight percent of the Indonesian people like to donate.
\nThe problem is how to manage the potential in order to improve
\nsocial welfare,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But charity was different from philanthropy, he said, although
\nsome people might see them as being the same thing. Charity was
\ngiving someone fish while philanthropy was teaching them how to
\ncatch fish.<\/p>\n
Zaim said philanthropic activities were not just about giving
\nmoney or scholarships to the disadvantaged but also about
\nspending time helping people.<\/p>\n
Some companies, such as Citibank and GE Elfund, had encouraged
\ntheir employees to take part in volunteer activities, giving them
\ntime off from work.<\/p>\n
\"There are many employees who want to work as volunteers but
\nthey have no time. If they are given time off by their companies,
\nthey tend to work as volunteers helping other people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said many companies realized they had responsibilities not
\njust to their shareholders but also to the general public.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, companies paid taxes to the government, hoping
\nthat the tax would be distributed for social welfare programs.
\nBut the tax was used to pay foreign debt instead, \" Zaim said.<\/p>\n
He believed philanthropic activities in Indonesia would
\ndevelop as they had in neighboring countries such as the
\nPhilippines and Japan.<\/p>\n
Zaim, a graduate of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture in
\n1986, said PIRAC along with several companies and foundations
\nwere currently discussing proposing a possible law to give tax
\nexemptions for philanthropic activities.<\/p>\n
In 1991 Zaim received a Public Research Fellowship from
\nMultinational Monitor, led by noted consumer activist Ralph
\nNader.<\/p>\n
\"Tax reduction, usually between five and 10 percent, aims to
\nboost philanthropy. The Philippines government and other
\ncountries also gives tax breaks for such activities.\"<\/p>\n
The father of four said that public trust in fund-raising
\nagencies had been increasing continuously.<\/p>\n
\"Philanthropy will develop continuously here even though not
\nmany non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are concerned with
\ndeveloping it,\" Zaim said.<\/p>\n
PIRAC was among few NGOs focusing on research and advocacy on
\nindividual as well as corporate philanthropy, he said.<\/p>\n
The NGO has published several books on philanthropy, including
\nSumbangan Sosial Perusahaan (Corporate Social Contribution), in
\ncooperation with the Ford Foundation, and Investing in Ourselves:
\nGiving and Fund Raising in Indonesia, in cooperation with the
\nAsia Foundation.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, PIRAC began cooperating with the University of
\nIndonesia's Social Welfare Study Program for the Philanthropy
\nResearch Award.<\/p>\n
The award is given every two years to encourage studies about
\nhow to increase living standards.<\/p>\n
The NGO lists hundreds of domestic and multinational
\ncompanies, including Astra International, Sampoerna, Rio Tinto
\nand BP, which have carried out philanthropic activities here.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/zaim-campaigns-for-philanthropy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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