KNPI hit by withdrawal threats

KNPI hit by withdrawal threats

JAKARTA (JP): Four more major youth organizations threatened
yesterday to pull out of the Indonesian National Youth Committee
(KNPI), criticizing its leaders for attempting to sway them
towards the fold of ruling political group Golkar.

"We may have to reconsider our membership if KNPI fails to
make sweeping reforms and improve its performance," Abubakar
Refra, chairman of the Union of Indonesian Islamic Students
(PMII), told a joint press conference on the sidelines of the
KNPI congress.

KNPI has deviated from its original mission, he said, blaming
this condition on the committee leaders.

"They have been playing politics and pushing their own agenda
(through the KNPI)," he said.

Edward Tahari, chairman of the Christian Student Movement
(GMKI), said that while it is the prerogative of KNPI leaders to
join any political organization, "they should not steer the KNPI
and its members towards supporting Golkar."

Ayi Vivananda, chairman of the Nationalist Student Movement
(GMNI), said KNPI has abandoned its original intention to provide
a forum to foster nationalism, unity, and to be a pioneering
force.

"KNPI has failed to represent the ideals of all its members,
its leaders have made decisions or issued statements without the
consent of members," he said.

Joining the chorus of disillusionment were leaders of the
Association of Muhammadiyah Moslem Students (IMM).

Founded in 1973, KNPI was regarded as an umbrella group for
all youth organizations in the country. However, only 35, or
about half of all registered youth organizations, have joined.

On the eve of the congress, the Union of Catholic Students
(PMKRI), one of the major organizations in KNPI, announced they
would stay away because they wanted to keep their distance from
the youth committee.

Complaints have also been heard from the regional chapters of
the powerful Moslem Students Associations (HMI), although their
leaders in Jakarta have been more circumspect.

The main criticism leveled against the KNPI was that it had
lost its independence and was becoming a government tool for
indirectly controlling the country's once critical and
independent youth organizations.

KNPI is holding its eighth congress at the Pondok Gede Haj
Dormitory in East Jakarta. The congress was opened by Vice
President Try Sutrisno immediately after a colorful ceremony
marking Youth Pledge Day on Monday.

The congress is scheduled to hear briefings from senior
government and military officials, to draw up an agenda for the
next three years, and to elect its leaders. It will close on
Monday.

In the face of the strong criticism from affiliated
organizations, some KNPI leaders have proposed turning the
committee into an organization with direct active membership.

Congress Steering Committee Chairman Fachry Andi Laluasa said
the congress will discuss a paper proposing to turn KNPI into an
"umbrella group for all youth" and not solely for selected youth
organizations.

Every Indonesian aged 17 years and over would be eligible to
join, he said, adding that KNPI was planning to do away with its
departments and branches at subdistrict levels.

He did not say whether KNPI will impose a maximum age limit.

Most of the leaders are in their 30s and 40s. Current chairman
Tubagus Haryono is 40 years old.

Candidates running for the KNPI chairmanship were quick to
seize the criticisms, and turn them to account in their campaign
platforms.

Joko Purwongemboro, from the Panca Marga Youth Organization
and the leading candidate, said KNPI has failed to channel and
accommodate the aspiration of its members.

Syaiful Anwar, from the Indonesian Islamic Youths (PMI), said
that if elected, he would revamp the KNPI's structure and
programs.

At least six other people have announced their intention of
running for chairman. They include Kaharuddin Syah from Pemuda
Pancasila, Mujib Rachmat from Pemuda Ansor, Adhyaksa, Ramli H.M.
Yusuf, Budianto and Gatot Sugito. (imn)