New Year's resolutions that should be kept

New Year's resolutions that should be kept

By T. Sima Gunawan and Prapti Widinugraheni

JAKARTA (JP): Different people have different ideas and plans for the coming year. Yet, all have something in common. They want to do their best to make tomorrow better than yesterday.

A few people recently revealed to The Jakarta Post their new year's resolutions.

Lies, office girl: In 1996 I want to be more successful in all aspects of life. I want to get closer to the Creator so that I can be safe in this world and in the hereafter. I will always pray for forgiveness of the sins I made in 1995 and for a successful life in 1996.

In 1996 I will work more diligently and I will be more careful in handling all the things I am assigned to do -- both the heavy ones and the light ones -- as long as I am healthy.

I will take enough rest and eat healthy food, which has a lot of nutrition and vitamins. I don't smoke and I will avoid smokers.

Theo Sambuaga, House of Representatives member and Golkar deputy secretary-general: I will work harder to promote the national diplomacy through the House, to struggle for the national interests in the international arena.

From 1976 to 1979 or 1980, the Portuguese parliament members were active in their efforts to discredit Indonesia in connection with the East Timor issue. In the past two or three years, however, they did not bring up the issue. Generally, Portugal still tries to influence other countries about the East Timor issue. But this must not affect our role in the region and in the world. There are many things we can do to contribute to the world community, including our ideas on nuclear weapons and energy, the environment, economics and security.

I will enhance cooperation with parliamentarians of other countries and improve the promotion of our national interests.

As Golkar deputy secretary-general, I will concentrate on the efforts to win the 1997 general election. I will also work on the draft for the 1998 state guideline.

We will focus our activities to groom Golkar cadres, to improve their performance to win people's sympathy for Golkar. We must be able to steal people's hearts and win the election.

Now, about myself, I want to have more time to exercise. I like tennis, but I can't play regularly, it's on and off. Hopefully I will be able to exercise regularly.

Titus Sarijanto, the Ministry of Forestry's director general for forest utilization: I would like to make a tighter schedule for myself which will allow me to exercise on a more regular basis. I'm a member of the Satria Nusantara silat (martial art) group, but over the last three months I have been too preoccupied with my work to join the exercise. As long as I exercise, that will be fine. It doesn't have to be silat, even regular walking will be fine.

I want to be able to do my job more systematically. Right now, each (forestry related) case is handled as an individual problem. I want to figure out a way to make a pattern which can be applied to, and is capable of solving, every case that surfaces.

Other than that, I also hope to carry out this job to manage the forests in the best way possible.

Benjamin Mangkoedilaga, chief of the Jakarta Administrative Court: There is one thing I really want to do in 1996. I want to finish my book. Yes, I will finish it next year. This is a book about the code of procedures in administrative court proceedings. I am writing this book because many people are still ignorant about this matter. Some friends asked me to write a memoir, but no, it is too early to do that.

I'm also determined to become more professional. Well, people are not always satisfied with what they have done. I don't regret anything. I just want to be more professional because professionalism is very important, especially in the enforcement of the law.

Zumrotin K. Susilo, chairwoman of the Indonesian Consumers' Organization (YLKI): There is a rapid development in the global economy, which creates a big challenge to our organization. We must be able to relate to this development. To be able to deal with the challenge, I will introduce a new strategy in the organization to enhance the consumers' movement. Today, consumers do not have ties with the organization in the sense that they don't have to contribute or meet other obligations. I will propose that in the coming year consumers make some contribution to the organization. They should be aware that they must be active in the struggle to improve their weak position as consumers. I know that in this situation I can't expect all people to willingly make their contribution to the organization. But I must be optimist that they will one day.

I have to admit that the organization lacks economic analysis. In 1996, the organization will involve more economists who care about the lower classes, who, as consumers, often suffer.

As an individual, I think I have to start my diet and do more exercise. I like table tennis and volleyball but I don't have partners to practice with. Sometimes I play table tennis with my housemaid.

Pepeng Ferasta, employee of PT Bakri & Brothers/master of ceremony/talk show host: I want to spare more time for my family; my four children and my wife. There are times when I can't keep my promise to get together with the kids as I have to work until late at night. That makes me feel bad. I have to be able to better manage my time.

In 1996 Insya Allah (if God permits) Bakri will set up a new company. This will deal with things I know best, including managing artists, and I will be in charge of the company.

As an MC, I will remain selective.

I will also keep up with my work as the presenter of the Jari Jari Quiz. It has a large audience, and that's good to support my new job at Bakri.

Salam Sumangat, city councilor: In 1996 I will consolidate the organization of the Jakarta chapter of SPSI (Indonesian Labor Union). As you know, I am the chairman of the timber department of SPSI Jakarta and also the secretary of the timber department of SPSI's central board. Actually, I can't have the double position but they asked me to do the job for one year. It needs money to consolidate the organization. I will ask members to pay a monthly contribution of 1 percent of their salary, which means that they will pay around Rp 1,000 a month. There are 25 timber companies in the city which are members. They have around 9,000 employees. If 60 percent of them make the contribution, that will be good.

I know that there are some labor problems. There are many complaints from textile, garment and leather workers, but not in the timber sector.

To be able to carry out my job well, I have to be healthy. In the past few years I have ridden a static bike. I used to play tennis every Thursday, and I want to do it again regularly.