Monitoring of NGOs should be eased: Emil<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A former state minister has advised the city
\nadministration to ease up on its mistrust of Non-Governmental
\nOrganizations and, instead, embrace them as partners in
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
The suggestion came on Wednesday from Emil Salim, the former
\nminister of environment and population. Emil is well-known for
\nlong having a close relationship with NGO activists, even while
\nhe was minister.<\/p>\n
\"The security approach to NGOs should be phased out,\" he said
\nafter a seminar on the NGOs' role in development at City Hall.<\/p>\n
The workshop, which also featured Adi Sasono of the
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), was
\norganized by the city administration.<\/p>\n
Emil, who is active in several NGOs himself, suggested that
\nnon-governmental organizations and the administration should meet
\nmore often to narrow any differences and explore areas where they
\ncan cooperate.<\/p>\n
NGO activists have often complained that the government treats
\nthem with suspicion because of their criticism of government
\npolicies.<\/p>\n
\"NGOs are components of innovation and it would be a big
\nmistake to treat them like opponents,\" he argued.<\/p>\n
He recalled a time when NGOs helped him socialize the law on
\nenvironment passed in 1982, when he still held his ministerial
\npost. He found the NGOs' help \"very useful\", especially because
\nhis office was understaffed.<\/p>\n
The government, Emil said, should be able to motivate NGOs to
\ntake part in development process.(32)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/monitoring-of-ngos-should-be-eased-emil-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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