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)