Insincere NGO activists

Insincere NGO activists

From Koran Tempo

The news story about an activist of a non-governmental organization (NGO), who is allegedly accused of masterminding the manipulation of UN rice aid, as published in Koran Tempo of Nov. 23, has caused me to strongly reject the inclusion of NGO activists in the National Commission on Human Rights.

In my opinion, there are two factors encouraging someone to become an NGO activist, namely a genuine intention to empower society and a profession to earn a living. The goal to empower the public can be achieved if NGO activists possess a sincere heart and are financially secure. But, in this country, there are only a handful of activists with this objective in mind when they join NGOs.

More and more activists appear to be motivated by the prospect of making money. Working for NGOs has made many people willing to sacrifice their ideals by placing foreign interests above their own nation's. Due to the enormous funds received from both local and foreign fund agencies, NGO activists have allegedly practiced corruption and corroded the moral integrity of this society.

Therefore, I call on the relevant authorities to pay more attention to the matter and to be careful when allowing NGO activists to become members of the National Commission on Human Rights. Or, perhaps, to avoid any future mistakes they should automatically turn down NGO activists from becoming members of the commission.

ALDI JADRI

Jakarta