'People will demand more freedom'

'People will demand more freedom'

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian people's demands will shift over the next 25 years from daily needs to quality of life and will include the freedoms of expression, speech and association, former minister of environment Emil Salim said yesterday.

Speaking at a national conference on social solidarity, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Services, Emil said that, since those aspirations are closely related to social affairs, the minister of social services should discuss them with the coordinating minister of political affairs and security, the home affairs minister and the Armed Forces leaders.

According to Emil, during the past 25 years the people have paid more attention to daily needs, such as food, clothes, health care and basic education.

But now, he said, the people have greater aspirations.

"It is also high time to review the life and nature of political parties in order to better channel their aspirations," he added.

Emil also said that the government should give more space to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"Do not oppose them because there are one or two that are naughty," he said.

"If they violate laws take them to court," he said. He advised the authorities not to underestimate the NGOs' potential.

"Institutionally, they look small, but actually they have a very large network," he said.

In the social domain, he said, the situation will be change markedly, he said. as a result of population growth, the advance of modern technology and the impact of globalization on Indonesian society.

Emil said Indonesia's population would soon reach 200 million people with better health, longer life expectancy and better education.

He said the development drive will result in the birth of people's groupings in line with their professions and other networking activities.

"The trend will become an important force," he said. (tis/fai)

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