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