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