'Clear conscience inspired Frans Seda'

'Clear conscience inspired Frans Seda'

JAKARTA (JP): A clear conscience consistently underlined the
thoughts and actions of senior economist Frans Seda, one of the
architects of the New Order, says book editor Frans M. Parera.

"In answering social, political and economic challenges, Frans
Seda has consistently acted with a clear conscience," Frans
Parera told reporters yesterday.

Frans Parera headed the team which edited a soon-to-be-
released book in honor of Frans Seda's 70th birthday. The book
Kekuasaan dan Moral (Power and Morality) is to be launched on
Oct. 6.

In connection with his birthday, a seminar will be held on
Sept. 26 to review the political economy of Indonesia during the
1966 to 1970 period, Frans Parera was reported by Antara as
saying. The seminar is to be held at the Catholic Atmajaya
University in Jakarta.

Frans Parera described Frans Seda as a "three-generation
statesman" and a "professional politician" because of his lengthy
experience and his rational way of examining the state
administration.

He kept his distance from religious and ethnic organizations
for the sake of establishing a united, harmonious nation, Frans
Parera said.

"In his thoughts and writing, Frans Seda constantly tries to
define power amid changes with time," he said.

Frans Seda has always been critical of inconsistencies in the
state administration, he added.

Frans Seda was born in Maumere, Flores, on Oct. 4, 1926.

He was a member of a team of economic advisors to President
Soeharto in the early years of the New Order administration. He
served as the minister of plantations from 1964 to 1966 and as
the minister of agriculture in 1966 under President Sukarno. He
was finance minister from 1966 to 1968 and minister of
transportation from 1968 to 1973 under President Soeharto. (emb)