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)