Formless groups confusing

Formless groups confusing

From Jayakarta

It seems not a single day goes by without the media reporting
on the widely publicized OTB (Organisasi tanpa bentuk or formless
organizations). This organization is said to have been applying a
method in its operation which is similar to that used by the
communists.

In every trouble related to the sensitive issue of race,
ethnic groups and religion (SARA), it is perceived that OTB is
behind the action. For example, the incident in Jambi concerning
the quake victims, the butchering of Rohadi's family in Bambu
Apus, Jakarta, students brawls or the spread of illegal circulars
are alleged to be related to this formless organization.

In this case, I agree with Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chairperson
of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) who said that the
government should not always make a statement putting the blame
on the formless organization. Because that would serve nothing
but confuse the people, and make them suspicious at each other.

Who and what is OTB? What is it really doing? And how should
we anticipate it?

To the best of my knowledge, an organization must have a
governing body, organizational statutes and by-laws, members and
a certain form. So the government's frequent warnings against the
operation of OTB will increasingly be confusing the people.
Nobody knows who should be supervised and who should be
suspected. Surprisingly enough, a newspaper was rumored to be
keen of following communist ideology. What a confusing situation.

Should there be a disturbance, it is for the government to
investigate the matter carefully and properly and inform the
public of the real mastermind and the motivation behind the
incident, rather than making the so-called OTB a scapegoat.

With the country becoming increasingly mature and openness and
democracy is increasingly relevant, officials should refrain from
making as-clear-as mud statements which are incomprehensible to
the public, if the government wants to be considered clean.

GD SITUMORANG

Address known to editor