Indonesians get ASEAN achievement awards
Indonesians get ASEAN achievement awards
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Two Indonesians have emerged among the 10
prominent people receiving awards from the ASEAN Business Forum
for their distinguished achievements in certain sectors.
The awards were presented by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad in a gala dinner at the Crown Princess Hotel here on
Friday evening.
The two Indonesians, selected among competitors in the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), are Wiratman
Wangsadinata, who received an award for his distinguished
achievement in engineering, and Susi Susanti in badminton
championship.
The other eight award winners are Leandro V. Locsin of the
Philippines for achievement in architecture, Ramon Orlina of the
Philippines in visual arts, Dr. Teera Ramasoota of Thailand in
medicine, Seree Vangnaitham of Thailand in arts, Hor Tzi Sum of
Singapore in science, Ee Peng Liang of Singapore in community
service, Gan Yik Yuen of Malaysia in research and development and
Teh Hong Piow of Malaysia in business.
Teh was also declared as ASEAN businessman of the year.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand.
Initiative
The ASEAN Business Forum initiated achievement awards three
years ago with an aim of honoring ASEAN figures who have made
significant contributions in their disciplines and communities.
The forum, established in 1991 with an initial membership of
only 45, currently has 165 member companies in the ASEAN region.
"Not only do the forum's members become better known in the
region but they also receive international recognition," said the
forum's president, Aburizal Bakrie of Indonesia.
Aburizal, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce (Kadin), explained that while business is a paramount
concern of the forum, it also recognizes the importance of
initiating programs beneficial to the ASEAN community.
Commenting on the development of the forum, Mahathir
underlined the importance of ASEAN's private sector, which is the
main engine of growth in the region.
"Governments can provide political security and infrastructure
but it is the businessmen who have to exploit the commercial
opportunities in the region," he said.
In front of ASEAN's top business persons, Mahathir noted that
forging trade ties is an effective way of forging ASEAN
solidarity.
"We need not focus on political or military alliances," he
remarked.
Aburizal said that members of the forum have improved
cooperation among themselves in business activities, including
the establishment of joint ventures worth over US$400 million.
"After the establishment of a $650 million power plant, now
being jointly built in North Sumatra by SIKAP Bhd. of Malaysia
and PT Bukaka of Indonesia, the total investment for joint
ventures will top one billion dollars.(mds)