Examine foreign NGOs

Examine foreign NGOs

From Koran Tempo

There has been some discussion on the possibility of examining foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and this would seem quite natural indeed.

Many foreign NGOs work in this country and some of them opt to work in conflict-ridden areas like in Aceh, Papua, Maluku and Poso to provide humanitarian aid to the victims in such places.

However, we must be alert over the presence of these foreign NGOs in conflict-ridden areas as some of them have been accused of supporting separatism in Indonesia.

We have reports that Australia supports the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia by carrying out, through the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), auditing of Australian NGOs operating in Indonesia. This is a good policy to ensure that only responsible Australian NGOs work in Indonesia.

As a resident of a conflict-ridden region -- Papua -- let me call on other countries like the USA, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, to imitate Australia in the case of their NGOs operating in Indonesia.

A lot of people claim that some foreign NGOs in Indonesia, particularly those operating in Papua, seem to support the separatist movement.

Finally, the government must consider issuing yet another new law on foreign NGOs and conduct an audit of their activities so that their work will be transparent and accountable.

AGUSTINUS MALLE Sorong, Papua