Tycoons reminded of greater social resposibility
DENPASAR (JP): Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono reminded Indonesia's largest-scale businessmen yesterday of their increasing social responsibility in line with their expanding role in the economy.
"I told them that the final goal of the economic development is to create social justice and welfare for all of the people," Moerdiono told reporters after addressing the owners of almost 100 of the country's largest conglomerates at a meeting in Bali yesterday.
The corporate bosses are at the Bali Intercontinental Hotel for a three-day refresher course on the Pancasila state ideology and other aspects of economic development. The program started on Friday.
Among the participants are the country's richest people, such as Lim Sioe Liong (Sudono Salim) of the Salim Group, Eka Tjipta Widjaya of the Sinar Mas Group, Prajogo Pangestu of the Barito Group, Mochtar Riyadi of the Lippo Group and Aburizal Bakrie of the Bakrie Group.
Other participants include President Soeharto's sons, Bambang Trihatmodjo and Sigit Harjojudanto, prominent businessmen, such as Sudwikatmono, Ibrahim Risjad, Sofyan Wanandi, Yusuf Wanandi, Subronto Laras, James Riyadi, The Nin King, Putra Sampoerna, Toni Agus Ardie, Fahmi Idris, Andree Halim, Rudy Ramli, Rudi Ramly, Arifin Panigoro, Muchtar Widjaya and Candra Ciputra.
The speakers during the gathering, held amid growing criticism over the widening financial gap between the rich and the poor, include several ministers, such as Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman and State Minister of National Planning/Chairman of Investment Planning Board Ginandjar Kartasasmita, as well as Armed Forces Chief Gen. Faisal Tanjung.
State Minister for Environmental Affairs Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, former vice president Sudharmono and the chairman of the Pancasila Propagation Agency Soeprapto also have addressed the gathering.
Speaking to newsmen after giving his address at the gathering, Moerdiono said that the partnership between small-scale companies and business conglomerates is one of the nation's most important cooperation programs, which should be further promoted to achieve social justice in the country.
Arrangement
Moerdiono said that the partnership between the large corporations and the small-scale companies should be carried out under a real business arrangement.
"The partnership should not be made out of a pity because such a business relationship is not sound, nor sustainable," he said, citing that the business deals between the large and small-scale companies could be in the form of sub-contracting arrangements.
Former vice president Sudharmono said in the meeting that he considered social justice and the creation of jobs as the biggest challenges emerging from inside the country.
"Large, medium and small-scale companies, as well as cooperatives, should develop mutually beneficial business partnerships," he said.
He also called on the business community to further improve the efficiency and productivity of their activities in light of the need to cope with the biggest challenges from outside the country -- economic globalization and trade liberalization.
Coordinating Minister Soesilo said at the opening of the meeting that economic development could not be separated from other aspects of the people's livelihood.
"The integration of the state ideology into the practices of the country's business players should, therefore, be considered an ongoing process," he told journalists after addressing the gathering.
He acknowledged that there are many challenges to be faced in creating social justice because many people have yet to implement the principles of the Pancasila state ideology in their daily lives.
Gen. Faisal said it is now high time for the economic agents to strengthen their unity and their sense of solidarity in facing international competition.
"The spirit of unity and solidarity will prevent the flare up of social jealousy regarding business conglomeration," Faisal said. (hen/vin)