Activists criticize govt's stance on problematic NGOs

JAKARTA (JP): Activists yesterday rejected as groundless the government's recent allegations that there were recalcitrant non- governmental organizations (NGOs) campaigning to undermine state ideology Pancasila.

Todung Mulya Lubis, director of the Center for Human Rights Study, told The Jakarta Post the accusations were unsubstantiated.

The allegations were vague and therefore could create unrest among NGOs because no one could be really sure which of them was being accused.

"Groundless accusations may weaken people's critical minds," Lubis said.

Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman announced last week the government was preparing to take strong action against at least 31 "problematic" NGOs. He did not identify the NGOs, but said those at fault were guilty of not advocating Pancasila and were involved in activities beyond the realm of their original charters.

The government was "naive" if it intended "activities beyond the realm of their original concerns" to mean political activities, said Lubis.

"It is naive to separate NGOs' activities from politics but their acts cannot be simply interpreted as politicking," Lubis said.

He questioned the use of the following criteria for branding an NGO "problematic": political activities, receiving foreign aid and violating a 1985 law on mass organizations.

Outspoken NGOs should be considered the government's good partners because they were performing a civic service with their criticism, he said.

Arimbi Heroepoetri, deputy director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI) told the Post her organization was not threatened by the government's statement. Soesilo did not specifically mention Walhi and the organization had not violated any laws, she said.

Soesilo's allegations were a reflection of poor government, even harassment of citizens, she said.

"Minister Soesilo could have coordinated an investigation following his statement instead of leaving things unclarified," she said.

Walhi has frequently been criticized for its controversial activities such as filing a lawsuit against President Soeharto over his decree granting Rp 400 billion (US$183 million), earmarked for reforestation programs, to state-owned aircraft company IPTN to finance the development of the N-250 aircraft.

In 1994, Walhi sued the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the American mining company PT Freeport Indonesia for environmental destruction in Timika, Irian Jaya.

"We work in a transparent manner and we would be open to any investigation," Arimbi said.

Environmental issues do not necessarily confine themselves to planting trees or conserving nature's habitat, she said.

Wahyu Susilo from Women's Solidarity said his organization adheres to Pancasila precisely because it campaigns for improved conditions for women workers.

"We are defending oppressed and marginalized migrant women workers, what is wrong with such mission?" Wahyu said.

Many NGOs have missions similar to the government's as stipulated in the Broad Guidelines of State Policies (GBHN), he said.

The three agreed that receiving foreign funding could not be considered "airing one's dirty linen in public."

"The amount of foreign aid received by NGOs is so small compared to the amount the government receives from other countries," Lubis said. (14)