Govt calls on NGOs to obey existing rules
Govt calls on NGOs to obey existing rules
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
The government has called on local non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) to obey the laws governing the establishment of such
groups, and has asked foreign NGOs to obtain official permission
to carry out work in the country.
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the State
Secretariat made the appeal during a discussion on Thursday
hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency's NGO-Desk
in Jakarta, saying this would make it easier for the government
to administer NGOs.
"Ever since the reform movement began, many non-governmental
organization have been established. The problem is, many of these
groups have deviated from the initial purpose of their
establishment," said Budiharjo, a senior official at the Ministry
of Justice and Human Rights.
"They were supposed to be non-profit organizations, but in
reality many of them have become money-earning institutions. The
law on foundations was issued to correct these flaws," he said.
Law No. 16/2001 governing the establishment and legality of
foundations was amended last year by Law No. 24/2004, which among
other things added articles on the payment of salaries to the
staff and management of NGOs.
Budiharjo said the amendment was aimed at affirming the non-
profit nature of foundations, while at the same time ensuring
their public accountability.
He said both laws obliged foundations to register with the
ministry after obtaining legal documents, such as an official
letter of domicile issued by the local subdistrict head and a tax
registration number.
"I am aware that many foundations do not abide by the
regulations. But the law gives them five years to adapt," he
said.
Rizal Basri, head of the Foreign Technical Cooperation Bureau
at the State Secretariat, emphasized that foreign NGOs also had
to comply with the regulations set out by the government.
"Foreign NGOs that want to work in Indonesia should report to
the State Secretariat. This is aimed at coordinating
communication among the various government institutions and
regional administrations that will deal with their work," Rizal
said during the discussion.
He said special treatment would be given to workers of foreign
NGOs who reported to his office.
"They will get a duty free card to buy goods in Indonesian
stores or supermarkets without being charged a value added
taxes," he said, adding that abolishing such facilities would be
the only sanction given to foreign NGOs that violated
registration procedures.
Rizal said the registration procedures were also established
to prevent foreign NGOs from engaging in harmful or negative
activities in the country.
"I have received a report that a foreign NGO has raised funds
in Indonesia by selling merchandise. That is not what they said
they would do here. Their initial intention was to assist
Indonesians, not raise funds," he said without identifying the
organization. (006)