Indonesia loses family planning advocate

Indonesia loses family planning advocate

By Prijono Tjiptoherjanto

JAKARTA (JP): The country lost one of its best sons with the
death of noted demographer Prof. Masri Singarimbun on Sept. 25 at
the age of 66.

Singarimbun devoted his time and energy to popularizing
demography -- still an odd discipline to both lay people and
academics in this nation a few years ago -- particularly in its
use for family planning programs.

The impact of his death is compounded when one realizes that
family planning, the goal he strived for all his life, is now a
reality.

Most Indonesians, even those in the remotest parts of the
country, have adopted the small family norm. Singarimbun's only
unfinished task is ensuring the welfare of these families.

In the 1970s, the government decided to use planned parenthood
to cut the high population growth rate, brought about by the baby
boom of the 1950s. Amid dire Malthusian predictions about the
future, Singarimbun took the initiative in promoting use of
condoms, then very unpopular as a contraceptive method.

He persevered in his efforts and this contributed to the
government bringing the growth rate under control.

The government awarded him the Cipta Karya medal of merit in
1995 in recognition of his achievements. But he never expected
anything in return for what he did as part of his dedication to
science and his own people.

He was a volunteer for the Indonesian Planned Parenthood
Association (PKBI), a non-governmental organization set up in
1957 which later became the National Family Planning Coordinating
Board (BKKBN). He remained active in the organization until the
end of his life.

In 1973, Singarimbun established the Center for Population
Research and Studies (PPSK) at Gadjah Mada University in
Yogyakarta, another notable feat. This institution, now called
the Center for Population Research (PPK-UGM), is an offshoot of
the Institute of Demography of the School of Economics,
University of Indonesia, Jakarta (LD-FEUI).

The latter was set up in 1964 by Widjojo Nitisastro, then dean
of the school, N. Iskandar, the late Kartomo Wirosuhardjo and
Kartono Gunawan.

PPK-UGM, which Singarimbun headed for a decade after its
founding, has contributed to human resources development in the
nation's eastern regions. Demographic researchers and scientists
trained at this institute can now be found across the country.

It has developed into a center of excellence in demographic
research and contributed input to the government's family
planning and manpower policies.

Singarimbun also had a keen interest in the fate of the
economically disadvantaged long before poverty eradication became
a popular cause. He collaborated with his counterpart from the
Australian National University, D.H. Penny, in writing a book on
the lives of poor people in Srihardjo village, Yogyakarta.

Their description of what poverty constitutes to villagers
with meager income has greatly influenced scientists and
policymakers alike.

Sayogyo drew from the work in devising his poverty line
standard. Singarimbun's views and ideas must have undoubtedly
influenced the present fight against poverty in the government-
sponsored program based on presidential instructions No. 5/1993
and No. 3/1996.

Iskandar had developed his expertise in population projection,
now generally considered a trademark of LD-FEUI. But Singarimbun
devoted himself more to the application of the demographic
science, useful to policymakers and also strongly associated with
PSK-UGM.

Singarimbun's sincere dedication to the development of
science, particularly demographic science, will live on. His
fighting spirit, always imbued with optimism, will continue to
inspire his colleagues, young and old.

His sense of humor is unforgettable to volunteers in non-
governmental organizations, particularly PKBI. His modesty and
honesty should be a mirror to all of us as we face a difficult
time fraught with uncertainty, arrogance and materialistic
idolatry.

The writer is former chairman of LD-FEUI (1984-1988) and
currently deputy chairman of the national governing board of PKBI
for the 1997-2000 period.