Greater economic equality promised to cooperatives
JAKARTA (JP): About 70,000 cooperative members and children attending the colorful ceremony marking the 52nd Cooperatives Day at Senayan Sports Stadium on Monday received promises from President B.J. Habibie they would enjoy greater economic equality.
VIP guests, including top officials and dignitaries, received the same promises plus a box of snacks which was placed on their respective seats. Other guests had to buy snacks from vendors and some of them jostled for the VIPs' leftovers.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Cooperatives Adi Sasono, making his first public appearance after a bout of ill health, and controversial Indonesian Cooperatives Council (Dekopin) chairman Nurdin Halid.
"Cooperatives' goals are identical with national economic development objectives, namely to create prosperity and justice. Therefore cooperatives must have a central place in development," Habibie said during his speech.
He highlighted recent signs of economic improvement, including the drastic drop in inflation and interest rates since last year, when economic growth was negative.
"It shows that we have left the lowest point of the economic crisis and have begun to enter the stage of economic recovery," he said.
Dozens of people suddenly applauded after this remark. Habibie glanced to his side, seeking the source of the applause. As it turned out, the clapping was directed toward a small boy who succeeded in launching a paper plane.
"We are just villagers from Cilacap (Central Java), we do not understand the President's speech," a farmer told a journalist seated next to him.
The ceremony was also attended by First Lady Hasri Ainun Habibie and a number of Cabinet ministers.
Nurdin, who led the ceremony, reported to the President that no less than 21 million cooperatives demanded justice from the government for the 32 years of neglect they suffered under the Soeharto regime.
"We were patient for 32 years. That's enough. Now is the time for the Indonesian Cooperatives Movement to stand up and fight economic injustices," Nurdin said.
The Ujungpandang District Court acquitted Nurdin of embezzlement charges in March. Prosecutors had requested the charges be dropped, saying there was not enough evidence to support accusations that Nurdin had embezzled Rp 115.77 billion (US$12 million) from farmers' compulsory accounts at a local cooperative center which acted as the sole buyer from village cooperatives in South Sulawesi.
Nurdin was once known as a close associate of former president Soeharto's son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra. He is also a member of the ruling Golkar faction in the House of Representatives and is seeking reelection.
His acquittal was linked by some to his close relationship with then attorney general Andi M. Ghalib.
Ghalib, who recently stepped aside as attorney general following allegations he had abused his power to enrich himself and his family, confirmed his friendship with Nurdin, but denied he used his influence to win an acquittal for Nurdin.
Despite the controversy, Nurdin was unanimously elected head of Dekopin in April.
"On behalf of the conscience of cooperatives members, I call on (the people) to exercise control and resist material desire ... in welcoming the 21st century," Nurdin said during Monday's ceremony.
The 1945 Constitution states cooperatives, along with private and state enterprises, are the country's main economic pillars.
However, due to persistent mismanagement, cooperatives have been marginalized in the country's economic structure.
"The President has shown his strong commitment to promote cooperatives," Adi Sasono said during the ceremony.
Adi looked fit after returning from Singapore, where he underwent a medical checkup last Sunday. He was hospitalized soon after the elections.
One of Adi's associates said the minister's "old health problem" had flared up, but a source close to Habibie said Adi was shocked by the poor showing of the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) in the polls. The party, which named Adi its presidential candidate, did not win a single seat in the House of Representatives.
After the President's address, the audience was entertained by a group of dancers who performed several traditional dances, including the Seudati from Aceh.
"This is a DOM (Military Operation Region) dance," a young woman whispered to her friend. She was referring to the fact that Aceh was under a decade-long military operation until last year.
The dance itself depicted people's determination to fight for their economic rights through cooperatives.
Dangdut singer Rhoma Irama also entertained the crowd.(prb)