Activists criticize govt's stance on problematic NGOs

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)