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)