Inequities spur growth of 'formless' groups

Inequities spur growth of 'formless' groups

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The rise of the so-called
"formless organization" in Indonesia is partly a result of social
and economic inequities, according to one political scientist.

M.T. Arifin, a lecturer at Muhammadiyah University in
Surakarta, Central Java, said yesterday that, along with various
movements advocating socialist ideas, huge social gaps had
contributed to the emergence of the "formless organizations".

He told The Jakarta Post that a similar process was occurring
in many developing countries in which various inequities were a
side-effect of the development process.

"Indonesia and other developing states whose development has
been quite successful have to maintain an awareness of socialist
movements because there are still social-economic inequities," he
said.

President Soeharto warned last week of the growth of "formless
organizations", spreading communist ideas in the guise of concern
for human rights or the environment. His concern was relayed to
the nation by State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono
Isman.

The Indonesian Communist Party and other affiliated groups
have been banned since 1966, together with all literature and
activities regarded as communist in nature.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung has also sounded the
alarm recently about the new rise of communist activity, saying
that clandestinely communist activists are trying to discredit
the New Order administration of President Soeharto.

According to Arifin, communist teachings, which advocate the
struggle of the working class against the capital-owning class,
are very attractive to people facing economic inequities. The
situation may be aggravated where there is evidence of collusion
between sections of the bureaucracy and the business class, he
added.

However, Arifin asked that a distinction be drawn between the
communist menace and groups who are really concerned about various
imbalances still existing here. Many activists involved in
demonstrations and other forms of protest might be motivated by
genuine concern, he said.

"It doesn't always mean that these groups are advocates of
Marxist teachings. They could be acting on a shared concern for
the improvement of public welfare," he said.

Arifin argued that to achieve such welfare there must be
economic laws that favor the general public and not merely a
particular segment of society.

Meanwhile, Din Syamsuddin, a leading member of the ruling
Golkar political grouping, said that "formless organizations",
characterized by anti-establishment activities, are a
manifestation of individualistic tendencies in Indonesia.

The head of Golkar's research and development department said
that confrontational approaches should be avoided in dealing with
these groups. He said an anticipatory approach should be taken,
focussing on conflict management.

He added that there are already anti-establishment groups in
the Islamic community who dissent from the established Moslem
organizations.

"In the more general political system, anti-establishment
groups which strongly oppose established ones have certainly
grown," he said.(har/mds)