Indonesia needs good leaders to resolve crisis: Megawati
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.