Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis: Megawati
Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has stressed the need to have good leaders both in the government and the private sector to bring about changes in every aspect of people's lives and to get Indonesia out of its multidimensional crisis.
In her speech, delivered by Minister of Trade and Industry Rini Soewandi during the launching of the Executive Center for Global Leadership (ECGL) at the Bali Hilton in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Saturday, she said that Indonesia would have to immediately undergo political and economic transformation to boost the country's image to attract more investors.
Rini said that Megawati abruptly canceled her trip to Bali on Friday night because she had to monitor the situation in Jakarta, which was hit by severe flooding. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti also failed to deliver a speech as he is attending the World Economic Forum in New York.
Rini added that political and economic transformation could have positive and negative impacts.
"And therefore we cannot achieve positive transformation if we don't apply good governance, transparency and more importantly have capable and committed leaders to implement them."
Rini said that the Indonesian government was working hard to carry out substantial changes within itself to create a credible administration.
"We are committed to changing the management style of the past, especially in the way of doing things," she said.
"Indonesia is willing to adopt systems that have been practiced by the international community," said the minister, adding that it was important to increase investor confidence in Indonesia.
Rini said that the government welcomed the establishment of the ECGL.
"This institution will give clear proof to the world that Indonesia is serious about improving its human resources and in preparing good leaders," Rini added.
The launching ceremony was attended by ambassadors, businesspeople and world renowned academics, including Dr. William Miller from Stanford University in the United States and Dr. Farid Elashmawi, founder and president of Global Success in San Jose, California, USA, and Dr. Robert Gill from the United Kingdom.
The ECGL is a nonprofit institution that claims to provide world-class executive education for Southeast Asia's business and government leaders. Its main campuses are in Jakarta and at the Bali Handara Resort in Bedugul, some 66 kilometers north of Denpasar.
Founded by noted businessmen, including Tanri Abeng, Aburizal Bakri, Pontjo Sutowo, Robby Johan and Jusuf Kalla, the institution will provide various programs such as flagship programs, customized executive development programs, management conferences and CEO briefings.
Members of the board of trustees include Sabam Siagian, former Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Ian Buchanan, James R. Moffet (CEO of Freeport-McMoRan) and Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr, Jeffrey Cheah Fook Ling.
Among the ECGL's planned programs are a series of lectures featuring statesmen and academics from around the world.