Social Services Ministry opens working meeting

Social Services Ministry opens working meeting

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto opened a working meeting of
the Ministry of Social Services Saturday with a call for the
Ministry to help people with social problems develop their self-
esteem and independence.

"When they have self-esteem, they will end their dependency
on others and will no longer expect outside help," said the
president.

"Our success in developing this sense of pride among people
with social problems is a measure of our ability to help them,"
he explained.

Soeharto underlined the need for the prevention of social
problems.

"This, however, should be done without compromising
rehabilitation efforts or the extension of aid," the president
told members of the meeting at the state palace.

Soeharto said the Ministry should involve other social
organizations in helping to carry out the task.

The president stated that the social organizations should
continue to improve the quality of their services.

"People should also be encouraged to become social workers,"
he added.

The president noted the participation of the public in helping
victims of the recent various natural disasters which hit the
country.

"This attitude indicates that the level of social solidarity
among us remains high. Such a high level of awareness needs to be
maintained, as it also reflects our unity," he said.

The Ministry of Social Services, he said, has a difficult task
of helping improve the quality of life of people with social
problems, including beggars, drops-out, disabled workers and
those who, due to one reason or another, have become homeless.

"But the task will be made easier because of the high level of
social awareness among our people," Soeharto said.

Present at the opening were Minister of Social Services Inten
Soeweno, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher and Minister
of Home Affairs Yogie S.M. (lem)