Clearer definition of 'formless organizations' needed

Clearer definition of 'formless organizations' needed

"Formless organizations" fever has gripped the populace since
it was launched by the bureaucracy in recent weeks. It is being
described as an intangible danger preying on the nation and
trying to break it apart, writes Amir Santoso.

JAKARTA (JP): One of the tactics used by the now defunct
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) to spread and increase its
political influence in the Old Order era prior to 1965 was to
infiltrate various organizations.

PKI cadres became members of chosen organizations, especially
those considered main rivals, and if possible acquired a position
on the organizations' boards of management. Communist elements
also penetrated military organizations. Thus, the cadres had the
opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process of
these organizations or to win over as many organization members
as possible to become sympathizers or even supporters of the PKI.

The PKI itself named this activity a formless organization and
succeeded in mobilizing much support for, or at least willingness
to cooperate with, the PKI. This method was known among
Indonesian people during the Old Order and was practiced by the
PKI before it felt itself sufficiently strong. However, after the
PKI gained more power it abandoned the method and began to use
force in its attempts to take power, as in the abortive coup of
Sept. 30, 1965.

Today, 30 years after the abortive coup, the issue of a
formless organization has resurfaced. The question now is why has
the government disclosed this matter as a threat to political
stability? One analyst has stated that the government is in need
of a scapegoat for its failure to give room to democracy or to
handle social and economic problems. By doing so, the government
has a weapon to silence its political opponents. However, this
argument is not valid because the government and the Armed Forces
(ABRI) still dominate power and nothing can be considered a
serious threat to that power.

Another argument put forth is that the formless organization
does exist and former PKI members or their relatives cultivate
it. This view is shared by ABRI and also by the 1966 generation
which experienced PKI's terror and fought against the PKI.
According to this opinion, former PKI members or their
sympathizers are reviving their methods by infiltrating various
organizations or masterminding various anti-government
activities, such as labor or student demonstrations, the
distribution of illegal pamphlets, books, unfinished memoirs and
others.

It is not easy for people who were born after 1966 to
understand the said threat of formless organizations because of
its abstractness. They are concerned about the possibility of
anybody critical of the government or ABRI being considered a
communist sympathizer. Therefore, a clear statement is needed to
define what is considered a formless organization, because
without a well-defined category the label of formless
organization member can be applied to whoever is disliked by the
government. This in itself would harm the government. The
potential of social control could be eliminated, but the control
is required in the development process to create a political
system that benefits the whole nation.

Armed Forces chief of general affairs, Lt. Gen. Soeyono, has
named three alleged formless organization activists. This is an
endeavor to clearly mention who belongs to formless
organizations. This endeavor, if it is to be continued, should be
pursued through legal channels so that each case is proven
through legal proceedings.

Thus, the possibility of human rights violation can be
prevented. Anti-communist people in Indonesia certainly do not
want a rebirth of communism, but the handling of the problem
should be done sophisticatedly.

One sophisticated way would be the elimination of the sources
that trigger the development of communism. These are injustice in
law enforcement, the gap between the rich and the poor,
corruption and monopoly, and power abuse. The key to fighting
communism is to improve the welfare of society and the
application of just legal protection for all.

The writer is lecturer of political science at University of
Indonesia and director at the Center for Policy and Development
Studies.

Editorial -- Page 4