Soeharto supports planned govt and media forum on policy
Soeharto supports planned govt and media forum on policy
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto gave his blessings yesterday
to a proposal to have senior editors and cabinet ministers in a
forum to harmonize their perceptions on government policies.
"The President said this forum is important for both sides to
develop mutual understanding about state affairs," said Alwi
Dahlan, vice chairman of the Agency for the Propagation of
Pancasila (BP7).
Alwi, accompanied by BP7 Chairman Soeprapto, met with Soeharto
at Merdeka Palace to report on the agency's latest activities.
"The President said the idea is very good. Such a forum is
needed by the mass media and the government so that they both
attain better insight," Alwi said.
Sixty-nine chief editors recently took part in a 10-day
advanced level course on Pancasila called "Manggala" in Bogor,
about 60 kilometers south of here. The course was opened by the
President.
Alwi claimed that at the end of the course, several
participants suggested gatherings be held between them and senior
cabinet officials in order to exchange views and harmonize
perceptions on various problems facing the nation.
He added that the President noted how misperceptions and a
lack of information on particular issues often created spats.
Alwi then pointed out that sometimes even officials have a less
than accurate understanding of the press.
Alwi said no fixed date for the gathering had been determined
but promised "it will be held soon".
He added that BP7 would soon hold Pancasila courses for
managing editors of the mass media.
In his report to the President, Soeprapto said BP7 has
concluded Pancasila courses of the Manggala level for all
provincial governors and high-ranking civil servants with 813
total participants.
Manggala courses have also been held for 632 state university
rectors and deans as well as 95 rectors and deans from private
universities.
Over 7,800 level-two officials have taken part in courses held
by BP7, while bureaucrats of level three, four and five
throughout the country will soon be trained.
Both Soeprapto and Alwi claimed that participants found the
courses helpful, allowing frank discussions about realistic
issues in everyday life. (mds)