Judaism feared to be lurking in heart of charity

Judaism feared to be lurking in heart of charity

By Riyadi

JAKARTA (JP): The Rotary and Lions Clubs of Indonesia, two
organizations that have been active in charity and social work,
are strongly denying recent suggestions that there are Zionist
influences within their organizations.

Executives from both clubs quickly denied and pointed out the
many good works carried out by their members, saying such
suggestions are preposterous.

"Zionism? They linked Rotary with Zionism? Don't they know
what Rotary has done in Indonesia? What we have done has nothing
to do with Zionism," Soedarpo Sastrosatomo said in an interview
with The Jakarta Post.

"We are open to suggestions ... But I don't see any indication
of (Jewish influence)," Chairman of Lions Club Indonesia
Hendrarto said in a separate interview.

Rustam Effendi, a former chairman of the club who was also
present at the interview, completely rejected the suggestion of
Zionism. "There is no indication at all that Lions Club
International is drawing us into this matter."

The issue of Zionist influence on the two organizations was
raised at a discussion last week during the release of a book
entitled Fakta dan Data Yahudi di Indonesia dan Refleksi Kritis
Perdamaian PLO-Israel (Facts and Data about Jews in Indonesia and
Critical Reflection on the PLO-Israel Peace Agreement) by
politician Ridwan Saidi.

Present at the discussion were Sabam Sirait, member of the
House of Representatives, Lukman Hakim of Media Dakwah magazine
and Eddi Ellison of the Media Indonesia newspaper.

During the discussion, they also questioned the legality of
the Rotary and the Lions in Indonesia. They recalled that a 1962
presidential decree barred Rotary activities.

Both Rotary and the Lions insist that their organizations are
legal and fully recognized by the government.

Soedarpo pointed out that the 1962 decree referred to various
other organizations, and not only the Rotary Club.

Rotary was re-established in Indonesia in 1970 in compliance
with the regulations, he said. "It's wrong if they question our
legality. We have adopted Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution as
our basic principles."

Pancasila

Hendrarto said that Lions Club Indonesia incorporated
Pancasila as its sole ideology in its constitution as far back as
1978, eight years before a law was enacted requiring all mass
organizations to uphold Pancasila.

The clubs are service organizations for business and
professional people interested in social welfare, high ethical
standards and goodwill and peace in the world.

"Service Above Self" and "He Profits Most Who Serves Best" are
the motto of the Rotary, while the Lions' is "We Serve."

The present Rotary Club Indonesia was established in 1970 by
Pellaupessy, then the minister of information, with businessman
Hasyim Ning.

Lions Club Indonesia was set up in 1969 with Lions Club of
Jakarta as the first branch in the country.

Many high ranking officials as well as leading entrepreneurs
have joined both organizations.

They have been actively involved in various humanitarian works
ranging from eradicating polio and cataracts to providing aid for
victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters or major
accidents.

Lukman Harun of the Committee for Islamic Solidarity,
commenting on the debate said the legality of an organization is
not a prime question, especially concerning the Lions and Rotary
Clubs.

"As far as I know, they are not solid organizations. They are
more like gatherings, just like arisan," he said, referring to a
tradition in Indonesia in which people, mainly women, pool money
and give it to one of the members on a rotational basis.

"If they are simply a kind of gathering, then there is nothing
wrong with those groups," Lukman said. "They are just gathering
around for prestige because the members are mostly business
executives. So, if one can get into the circle, it is something
to boast about."

Lukman said Rotary and Lions may have Jewish origins, but he
doubted whether those Indonesians who joined the organizations
are aware of this given that most enlisted for the prestige that
membership entails.

He warned however that these clubs could potentially become
Jewish lobbies. "If it's already like this, it's dangerous, they
might push their will so that this government recognizes Israel
and further opens diplomatic ties. But I have not seen this
indication, and hopefully, they are not like that."

Sabam Sirait shared Lukman's view that it is possible that the
Lions and Rotary clubs are tools of Zionist infiltration and that
those entering the organizations may not realize this.

Commenting on Jewish infiltration in Indonesia, Hendrarto of
the Lions stated that if Jews want to infiltrate Indonesia, they
can use other organizations.

"Why are Jews so stupid as to use organizations which have
been stamped as having Jewish origins? So, I think, they would
use other groups or other means," Hendrarto said.

He said if Lions has links with Zionism, it would not be
allowed to operate in other Islamic states, such as Egypt,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Malaysia.

Soedarpo pointed out that Rotary too has branches in Islamic
countries. "King Hassan of Morroco is a Rotarian," he said.