Nation's sense of humanitarianism invoked

Nation's sense of humanitarianism invoked

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, invoking the people's sense
of humanitarianism, called yesterday for their wholehearted
support for the activities of the Indonesian Red Cross.

In his speech, at a ceremony at the Merdeka Palace to install
the Red Cross new board of executives, Soeharto said "a strong
sense of humanitarianism is the main force of the strong, to give
a lending hand to the weak."

"By answering the call of humanitarianism .. we can live in a
world that guarantees common progress, prosperity and justice for
all mankind."

The new Red Cross board is chaired by Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana,
the president's daughter and a successful businesswoman in her
own right. She replaced Ibnu Soetowo, a businessman and a former
president of the state oil company Pertamina, who had served two
four-year terms on the board.

Hardiyanti, more popularly known as Mbak Tutut, also presented
the 23-member executive board, which she helped select following
her appointment to chair the board.

She selected Soesanto Mangoensadjito as secretary general and
Widarsadipraja as treasurer. The rest of the board comprises of
government officials, public figures, including businessmen
Prajogo Pangestu and Henry Pribadi, and Hediyanto, the executive
who runs some of the charity foundations chaired by President
Soeharto.

Mbak Tutut also presented the line up of the seven-person Red
Cross Advisory Board led by Coordinating Minister for People's
Welfare Azwar Anas. Ibnu Sutowo is the board's deputy chairman.

In his speech, Soeharto underlined that humanitarianism is one
of the five tenets of the state ideology Pancasila and therefore
it should always be part of people's everyday lives.

"On this occasion I would like to appeal to people from all
levels of society to actively take part in the humanitarian
activities of the Indonesian Red Cross."

Through participation, people will share the suffering of
their fellow human beings, he said. "This will also invoke their
sense of solidarity which can be a major force to the success of
national development."

The Indonesian Red Cross was established by a presidential
decree in 1950. Although an independent body, the Red Cross works
closely with the government and follows the guidelines outlined
by the government.

Soeharto also called for the Red Cross to further strengthen
its organization and its programs, underlining that very often it
has to undertake emergency measures when natural disasters
strike.

"The Red Cross must be on constant alert. Any delay could
cause even more suffering. Quick action, on the other hand, can
reduce suffering, and could even save lives."

He suggested that the new Red Cross executive board bolster
the size of the Red Cross Corps of Volunteers and also strengthen
the Red Cross Youth movement.

Mbak Tutut, who turns 46 years old on Jan. 23, is no stranger
to social projects and mobilizing the younger generation. She was
widely accredited for the highly successful national youth
marches which she organizes annually to mark the national social
solidarity day.

Besides running a growing business empire, she is also active
in Golkar, the ruling political organization, seated as deputy
chairperson on the executive board.(emb)