Inequities spur growth of 'formless' groups<\/p>\n
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The rise of the so-called
\n\"formless organization\" in Indonesia is partly a result of social
\nand economic inequities, according to one political scientist.<\/p>\n
M.T. Arifin, a lecturer at Muhammadiyah University in
\nSurakarta, Central Java, said yesterday that, along with various
\nmovements advocating socialist ideas, huge social gaps had
\ncontributed to the emergence of the \"formless organizations\".<\/p>\n
He told The Jakarta Post that a similar process was occurring
\nin many developing countries in which various inequities were a
\nside-effect of the development process.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia and other developing states whose development has
\nbeen quite successful have to maintain an awareness of socialist
\nmovements because there are still social-economic inequities,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto warned last week of the growth of \"formless
\norganizations\", spreading communist ideas in the guise of concern
\nfor human rights or the environment. His concern was relayed to
\nthe nation by State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono
\nIsman.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Communist Party and other affiliated groups
\nhave been banned since 1966, together with all literature and
\nactivities regarded as communist in nature.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung has also sounded the
\nalarm recently about the new rise of communist activity, saying
\nthat clandestinely communist activists are trying to discredit
\nthe New Order administration of President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
According to Arifin, communist teachings, which advocate the
\nstruggle of the working class against the capital-owning class,
\nare very attractive to people facing economic inequities. The
\nsituation may be aggravated where there is evidence of collusion
\nbetween sections of the bureaucracy and the business class, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
However, Arifin asked that a distinction be drawn between the
\ncommunist menace and groups who are really concerned about various
\nimbalances still existing here. Many activists involved in
\ndemonstrations and other forms of protest might be motivated by
\ngenuine concern, he said.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't always mean that these groups are advocates of
\nMarxist teachings. They could be acting on a shared concern for
\nthe improvement of public welfare,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arifin argued that to achieve such welfare there must be
\neconomic laws that favor the general public and not merely a
\nparticular segment of society.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Din Syamsuddin, a leading member of the ruling
\nGolkar political grouping, said that \"formless organizations\",
\ncharacterized by anti-establishment activities, are a
\nmanifestation of individualistic tendencies in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The head of Golkar's research and development department said
\nthat confrontational approaches should be avoided in dealing with
\nthese groups. He said an anticipatory approach should be taken,
\nfocussing on conflict management.<\/p>\n
He added that there are already anti-establishment groups in
\nthe Islamic community who dissent from the established Moslem
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
\"In the more general political system, anti-establishment
\ngroups which strongly oppose established ones have certainly
\ngrown,\" he said.(har\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/inequities-spur-growth-of-formless-groups-1447893297",
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