ABRI asks NGOs to act as govt partners

ABRI asks NGOs to act as govt partners

JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces Sociopolitical Affairs Chief Lt.
Gen. Syarwan Hamid asked non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
yesterday to act as the government's partner in development.

Syarwan said in the keynote speech at a seminar on NGOs and
national development, read by his assistant Maj. Gen. Budi
Harsono, that NGOs, due to their commitment to the weak, are
expected to facilitate government development programs.

"NGOs can help less-developed people specify their needs,
realize initiatives and search for facilities and financial
resources. In that sense, NGOs should serve as the government's
partner," Syarwan said.

But the general admitted that the economy still has structural
problems which create a socioeconomic disparity. "We will
continue to give the wealthy chances to grow while at the same
time empowering less prosperous people," he said.

He suggested NGOs train small-scale entrepreneurs and
activists of cooperatives to improve their business skills and
serve as mediators vis-a-vis the government and other financial
aid sources.

"NGOs can also initiate meetings between small businesses and
their larger counterparts to develop greater cooperation."

Syarwan's suggestion appears to be an attempt to improve the
troubled relationship between the government and NGOs. Their
long-time quarrel peaked when the government branded 32 NGOs
problematic last November.

However, Budi said that NGOs which take a critical stance
against the government make up no less than two percent of the
8,000 registered NGOs.

"The media have given too much coverage to critical NGOs and
failed to highlight the good ones," Budi told reporters after the
seminar.

He refused to disclose what action the government would take
against the problematic NGOs, saying that it was the
responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"The minister of home affairs, as the country's political
patron, is responsible for regulating, developing, reprimanding
and taking punitive measures against recalcitrant NGOs," Budi
said.

NGOs are subject to a 1985 law on mass organizations although
many of them defy the authority. The law also applies to social
and political organizations. (amd)