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.