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)