Disability Alliance Seeks Partnership with Indonesian Church Council for MSME Empowerment
JAKARTA — In an effort to build synergy for disability empowerment and data synchronisation, the Chairman of the Nusantara Disability Alliance (ADN), Agus Diono, accompanied by several board members, held an audience with the Executive Board of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) at Grha Oikoumene, Jakarta, on Thursday (17/7).
Arriving at approximately 10:00 WIB, the ADN delegation was received by PGI Deputy General Secretary Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon, along with several PGI executive secretaries and bureau heads, as well as Elly Diah P, Director of Yakoma, and Alfian R. Komimbin, Head of the Research and Development Bureau.
Agus Diono, who also serves as Special Staff for the Enhancement of Disability Roles and Business Opportunities at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industries/BKPM, explained that in accordance with BKPM's core duties and functions, one of its mandates is to ensure that persons with disabilities receive equal rights in accessibility and equal opportunities in the investment and capital sectors.
He therefore proposed a partnership with PGI, whereby church members with disabilities who are already Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) partners, or those wishing to start businesses, would be assisted in obtaining permits.
"In line with the Asta Cita mission towards Golden Indonesia 2045, one of which involves improving conditions for persons with disabilities, our task is to facilitate disability inclusion in the business world and beyond. This partnership is important to elevate the dignity of persons with disabilities — not charity, but empowerment as capable human resources," he said.
Agus Diono added that MSME partnerships with persons with disabilities also fulfil the legal obligation of meeting the quota of one per cent in private companies and two per cent in state-owned and regional enterprises, as mandated by law.
He also informed attendees that cross-ministerial collaboration is currently underway to synchronise and create shared data on persons with disabilities.
In response, Alfian R. Komimbin agreed on the need for cooperation in compiling disability data, noting that instruments and indicators must be prepared for distribution to PGI member church synods.
Rev. Etika Saragih highlighted PGI's Prokelita programme, which also addresses socio-economic empowerment in underdeveloped areas and includes a pilot project for economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. PGI, she said, is very open to building MSME partnerships for disability empowerment in the business sector.
Rev. Muliathy Briany emphasised the need for congregation education to eliminate negative stigma against persons with disabilities. "We need to open people's minds to understand that disability is not a curse. Some churches do have specialised services. Education is needed not only for families but also for prospective church workers," she stressed, mentioning plans to publish a theology of disability book.
At the close of the audience, Deputy General Secretary Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon outlined several important points for follow-up regarding disability empowerment cooperation, covering both data and education. She also expressed appreciation for the involvement of several churches in disability economic empowerment, including the Protestant Fellowship Church (GPP) in North Sumatra and the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) through Rawinala School.
"This is very commendable. The existence of Rawinala School is a source of pride, and its alumni need support to become independent," she said.
On the occasion, Agus Diono symbolically presented a Braille Bible to Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon. The Braille Bible enables visually impaired persons with disabilities to read and understand the scriptures in a more inclusive manner.
Arriving at approximately 10:00 WIB, the ADN delegation was received by PGI Deputy General Secretary Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon, along with several PGI executive secretaries and bureau heads, as well as Elly Diah P, Director of Yakoma, and Alfian R. Komimbin, Head of the Research and Development Bureau.
Agus Diono, who also serves as Special Staff for the Enhancement of Disability Roles and Business Opportunities at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industries/BKPM, explained that in accordance with BKPM's core duties and functions, one of its mandates is to ensure that persons with disabilities receive equal rights in accessibility and equal opportunities in the investment and capital sectors.
He therefore proposed a partnership with PGI, whereby church members with disabilities who are already Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) partners, or those wishing to start businesses, would be assisted in obtaining permits.
"In line with the Asta Cita mission towards Golden Indonesia 2045, one of which involves improving conditions for persons with disabilities, our task is to facilitate disability inclusion in the business world and beyond. This partnership is important to elevate the dignity of persons with disabilities — not charity, but empowerment as capable human resources," he said.
Agus Diono added that MSME partnerships with persons with disabilities also fulfil the legal obligation of meeting the quota of one per cent in private companies and two per cent in state-owned and regional enterprises, as mandated by law.
He also informed attendees that cross-ministerial collaboration is currently underway to synchronise and create shared data on persons with disabilities.
In response, Alfian R. Komimbin agreed on the need for cooperation in compiling disability data, noting that instruments and indicators must be prepared for distribution to PGI member church synods.
Rev. Etika Saragih highlighted PGI's Prokelita programme, which also addresses socio-economic empowerment in underdeveloped areas and includes a pilot project for economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. PGI, she said, is very open to building MSME partnerships for disability empowerment in the business sector.
Rev. Muliathy Briany emphasised the need for congregation education to eliminate negative stigma against persons with disabilities. "We need to open people's minds to understand that disability is not a curse. Some churches do have specialised services. Education is needed not only for families but also for prospective church workers," she stressed, mentioning plans to publish a theology of disability book.
At the close of the audience, Deputy General Secretary Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon outlined several important points for follow-up regarding disability empowerment cooperation, covering both data and education. She also expressed appreciation for the involvement of several churches in disability economic empowerment, including the Protestant Fellowship Church (GPP) in North Sumatra and the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) through Rawinala School.
"This is very commendable. The existence of Rawinala School is a source of pride, and its alumni need support to become independent," she said.
On the occasion, Agus Diono symbolically presented a Braille Bible to Rev. Lenta Enni Simbolon. The Braille Bible enables visually impaired persons with disabilities to read and understand the scriptures in a more inclusive manner.