Former political prisoners establish own cooperative

Former political prisoners establish own cooperative

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of former political prisoners have set up
their own cooperative in order to get back on their feet
financially and seize the social and economic rights which were
wrested away from them through being stigmatized.

Serba Usaha Bhakti Nusa was launched by Minister of
Cooperatives Adi Sasono Tuesday evening at Raudha Building in
Kuningan, South Jakarta. Attending the inauguration were hundreds
of former prisoners and detainees, including people arrested
after the Tanjung Priok bloody incident, Aceh separatists, and
slanderers against former president Soeharto.

Also attending were lawyers Todung Mulya Lubis and Adnan
Buyung Nasution.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman and
Minister of Transmigration Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono -- who, in
some cases, was a key figure in the prisoners' arrest -- were
also present.

Cooperative executive Bambang Beathor Suryadi, who is also a
political activist, expressed hope the organization would boost
its members' welfare.

"During the New Order regime, the stigma of being political
prisoners turned us into pariahs... Relatives, friends and
acquaintances stayed away. We lost our jobs. We found it
difficult to earn money. It was even worse in prison. And when we
were released, no jobs were available for us," said the
cooperative's secretary, Rachmat Basoeki, who was sent to jail
for the bombing of BCA Bank in 1984, as quoted by Antara.

He said political prisoners who had spent time behind bars
were not interested in establishing political parties. Running a
cooperative, instead, would be a more productive and meaningful
activity for them.

"The political prisoners were used to facing difficulties when
they were in jail but now when we are free again, we have to feed
our children and send them to school," he said.

The cooperative now has 50 members, 30 of whom were political
prisoners.

"Membership is open to anyone and we'd like to invite more and
more friends to join us," Rachmat said.

In his address, Adi said that in this time of crisis, it was
not conglomerates that would restimulate the economy but small
and strong companies.

He stressed the importance of developing sound economic bases
through cooperatives. "The government is building a distribution
system through cooperatives," he said.

Executives said the cooperative would be active in the
distribution of essential foodstuffs, general trade, research and
development for cooperatives and small businesses, and other
services. (emf/swe)