Gus Dur inaugurates foundation

Gus Dur inaugurates foundation

JAKARTA: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid declared
on Monday the establishment of the Free People Foundation (YMM).

Foundation chairman, Arbi Sanit, told Antara the non-partisan
organization was set to promote the process of democratization in
the country.

"To date, there has been no common platform for
democratization. We (the foundation) will help people establish
the platform," said Arbi, also a political lecturer at the
Jakarta-based University of Indonesia.

He said the platform suggested a restriction of state power
through division of power between the executive, legislative and
judicial branches, the application of checks and balances, and
the establishment of an opposition at the legislature.

The founders of the foundation, apart from Gus Dur, include
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's sister Rachmawati
Soekarnoputri, Gedung Oka, Marsillam Simanjuntak, Wimar Witoelar,
Todung Mulya Lubis, Hendardi, Luhut Pangaribuan and Emmy Hafild.

Arbi claimed that Indonesians, in spite of legal recognition,
had not been able to enjoy their freedom. -- Antara