Asia Foundation honors eight reformers
Asia Foundation honors eight reformers
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Eight Indonesians from all walks of life won on Thursday the Asia
Foundation's 50th Anniversary Award for their contribution to
democratic reforms in the country.
The Asia Foundation, a non-governmental organization committed
to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, and open Asia-
Pacific region, extended its awards to mark its 50th anniversary.
The director of the Liberal Islamic Network (JIL), Ulil Abshar
Abdalla, was cited for his work towards attaining democratic and
religious tolerance in Indonesia by forming and leading
organizations to promote religious diversity.
"No one, anywhere in the world, has been able to achieve
progress among the people without having to face controversy,"
foundation representative to Indonesia Douglas Ramage said.
Agung Pambudi, the executive secretary of the Monitoring
Committee for Regional Autonomy (KPPOD), received an award for
his economic work for his efforts since 1998 to boost economic
growth by intensifying investment in the region.
Another winner was the president of Jakarta's State Islamic
University (UIN), Azyumardi Azra, who the foundation said had
extensively developed the curriculum of the university, which had
set a world-class standard for reform and innovation in
education.
The Muslim scholar was not present at the ceremony and was
represented by one of his family members.
The award for legal reforms went to three recipients: Ibrahim
Assegaf, founder of a website hukumonline.com; Bivitri Susanti,
executive director of the Center of Law and Policy Studies
(PSHK); and Rifqi Assegaf, executive secretary of the Institute
for an Independent Judiciary (LeIP).
The three were cited for supporting the Indonesian judiciary
institutions' drive to implement reforms, helping legislators to
intensify the process of creating laws in accordance with
people's expectations and broadening legal access for
Indonesians.
Santoso, the chairman of the Alliance of Independent
Journalists (AJI), received the award in the media freedom
category for his efforts to make satellite transmission
technology available to all radio stations in Indonesia.
Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, who is currently on a visit to the
Netherlands, received the award in the women's rights category.
A member of the House of Representatives and the Legal Aid
Foundation-Indonesian Women's Association for Justice, she was
cited for her campaign to make political parties reserve 30
percent of their list candidates for women in the 2004
legislative election.
The Asia Foundation stated aim is to achieve the improvement
of governance and law, economic reform and development, women's
empowerment and international relations in countries in the
region.
With an office Indonesia for the last 30 years, it has put its
emphasis on supporting Islamic organizations and women's rights-
related issues. (004)