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)