Japanese aid

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