Ginandjar meets with NGOs over his remarks
Ginandjar meets with NGOs over his remarks
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of National Development Ginandjar
Kartasasmita yesterday met with activists of several non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) who resented his recent remarks
accusing them of maligning Indonesia abroad.
The executive director of the Institute for Policy Research
and Advocacy (ELSAM), Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, told The
Jakarta Post he was happy with the meeting.
"Ginandjar was open, and both parties look forward to more
dialogs," he said.
The talks followed NGO's protests over Ginandjar's criticism
against NGOs.
Ginandjar had charged NGOs, which he did not name, of
distributing false information to foreigners. This information
included alleged coercion in the family planning and
transmigration programs, he said.
The NGOs, he had said, were trying to "sabotage development"
by lobbying various parties to reduce aid to Indonesia.
The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation said the remarks were
tantamount to a smear campaign against NGOs.
In yesterday's talks, at which some 30 NGO members were
present, Ginandjar had asked for "NGOs' understanding of the
government's difficulties," Hakim quoted Ginandjar.
Challenges
Ginandjar said the government was facing increasing challenges
in international forums.
"He asked NGOs to take national interests into account in
their activities," Hakim said.
He said he told Ginandjar that "national interests" relate to
national problems, which do not only involve the government.
The NGO members addressed several issues with Ginandjar,
including "problems of implementing democracy."
Yesterday Ginandjar asked the NGO members to listen to a
partial recording of a talk show of a New York-based radio
station. This was the recording which Ginandjar used to back his
accusation of the NGOs.
The talk show featured Patricia Armstrong of a New York-based
NGO, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.
Armstrong had mentioned ELSAM in her commentary.
Hakim explained to Ginandjar that ELSAM's advocacy includes a
recent study conducted with the Committee.
The study was on the impact of projects funded by the World
Bank on human rights, particularly family planning and the Kedung
Ombo dam project in Central Java.
He said the study was justified by the right of the American
tax payer to know about projects under World Bank auspices, since
a large share of the Bank is owned by the United States
government.
Hakim also pointed out that the report's recommendations do
not include reducing aid to Indonesia.
The report was sent to Ginandjar in June, Hakim said.
Hakim said he asked Ginandjar to read the report. He also gave
Ginandjar another copy of the report yesterday.
Apart from ELSAM, the NGOs who met with Ginandjar yesterday
included the Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI), the NGO
Network for Forest Conservation in Indonesia (SKEPHI), Bina
Swadaya, Bina Desa, the Institute for Social Economic
Information, Education and Research (LP3ES) and the Jakarta Legal
Aid Office.
Yesterday the Minister of Transmigration and Forest Squatter
Resettlement Siswono Yudohusodo told reporters he regretted the
conduct "of local NGOs which spread lies abroad."
He said criticism of the transmigration program is caused by
"many misunderstandings." (01/anr)