Election in YLBHI

Election in YLBHI

I am concerned about the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), which is scheduled to elect a new chairperson. The situation facing the foundation is nothing short of tragic. Known as a democratic institution which never compromised with violators of democracy, the foundation has failed to uphold democracy within itself. It is easy for us, Indonesians, to criticize other people but we can't control ourselves.

In 1990, as a volunteer lawyer at the Jakarta chapter of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH), I saw the same problem. There was a demonstration everyday staged by lawyers who held campaigns for their candidates for LBH director. They wanted to elect the director themselves. They disagreed with a statute that gave the foundation the power to appoint LBH's chairperson. But the demonstrations were fruitless and some lawyers quit.

Last year we read about the same problem in LBH's Yogyakarta chapter. Even non-governmental organizations protested the foundation's election of a new LBH director.

The problem emerges again and again because even if the lawyers elect someone to become director, it must be approved by the foundation.

Why doesn't foundation change the statute? Are you not embarrassed as a so-called model of democracy?

I would like to appeal to all parties involved to open their eyes before the people's faith in the foundation is completely eroded.

ROBERTUS BILITEA

Jakarta