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