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

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