Soeharto opens meet on the disabled
Soeharto opens meet on the disabled
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday that Indonesia
was determined to ensure that disabled people enjoy the same
business and employment opportunities as other Indonesian
citizens.
"We are trying to see to it that disabled persons lead a life
in accordance with their abilities and human dignity," he said
when opening the fourth Disabled People's International Asia-
Pacific Regional Assembly.
During the five-day conference, Soeharto told nearly 300
participants that Indonesia strived to improve the professional
skills of social institutions and organizations dealing with
disabled people.
The Indonesian government means to enhance the social
awareness, solidarity and responsibility of the community to
encourage greater public participation in dealing problems facing
the disabled, he added.
Accompanied by Indonesian Minister of Social Services Inten
Soeweno, government assistance to the disabled was in the form of
guidance, care, compensation and rehabilitation.
The President said disabled people generally had advantages
like diligence, steadfastness and perseverance which would
enhance their potential.
The conference, he said, should come up with an action program
aimed to improve disabled people's well-being.
Many of the disabled people attending the opening ceremony at
the State Palace were confined to their wheel-chairs or using
walking sticks while the blind also came with assistance.
Also present on the occasion was chief of the Association of
Disabled Indonesians, Kusbiono Sarmanhadi.
Soeharto said that during the Disabled People's Decade (1993-
2002), the participants should formulate a common working plan.
"Such a plan would provide guidelines at both country and
regional levels," he said.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said in
his address, read aloud by Japanese ambassador Tazio Watanabe,
that his government welcomed the conference.
"We are happy to provide assistance through the Japan
International Cooperation Agency," said Murayama, who attended
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting two
weeks ago. (pan)