Red Cross warned of complacency

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) yesterday against being complacent after achieving so much in its work in recent years.

"We never know when a disaster will happen and how damaging it might be," Soeharto said during a meeting at the State Palace with 300 participants of the organization's current national congress.

The Indonesian Red Cross must always be prepared to deal immediately any natural disaster happening, he said.

The President advised that the Indonesian Red Cross be ready and able to mobilize the support of the people in its endeavors although it has made significant progress in recent years.

He suggested that PMI target the assistance of young people for its activities.

The PMI congress is due to wind up today with the election of a new chairman.

The outgoing chairman, former Pertamina director Ibnu Sutowo, earlier indicated that he did not wish to retain the post he has held since 1986. Ibnu is now 80 years old.

The Indonesian Red Cross is now operating on a budget of Rp 1.5 billion and runs 138 blood donation centers throughout Indonesia. It is virtually financing its own operations with the interest earnings from a bank deposit. (emb)