Japanese aid

State Minister of National Development Planning/Chairman of the National Planning Board, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, was in Tokyo last Wednesday to find out how much aid Indonesia can expect from the Japanese government. This was necessary because of the Japanese government's recently announced intention of reducing its Official Development Assistance 10 percent. Our government hopes this will not reduce Japan's aid to Indonesia.

It is of course possible that the Japanese government may rescind its decision. But we must keep in mind that it is an internal decision, and would have been made after due consideration. It would be difficult for the Japanese to repeal it now that the announcement has been made. We hope Indonesia will get the same amount as before. But we must remember that other aid receiving countries will have the same hopes, and will make the same efforts as Indonesia.

In the face of Japan's decision we must revert back to our long-held basic principle that foreign aid should merely supplement our development resources. The decision teaches us that we must be more self-confident, and more prudent in our development, because all this will impact on the well-being of our future generations.

-- Surabaya Post