KNPI striving to reform image at 8th congress

KNPI striving to reform image at 8th congress

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI),
the umbrella organization for dozens of government-sanctioned
youth groups, will start its eighth congress today as its appeal
is increasingly eclipsed by non-governmental organizations.

One of the most important tasks facing the organization is
reforming its image among the young, KNPI executives said.

"We are striving to reform KNPI's image. We are launching
changes that will improve the organization," chairman of the
congress' steering committee Fachry Andi Laluasa told Antara here
yesterday.

The organization is an umbrella for dozens of youth groups,
including the Moslem Student Association (HMI), the Nationalist
Student Movement (GMNI), the Christian Student Movement (GMKI)
and the Catholic Student Association (PMKRI).

State Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman said
last year many youth organizations have been losing the support
of young Indonesians. Most were turning to non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) which have more clearly defined objectives,
such as environmental protection and promotion of human rights.

Hayono blamed the youth organizations' inability to "respond
to the challenges and demands of the times" and compared them
unfavorably to the NGOs, which he said were more responsive to
the needs of young people.

Fachry pointed out that KNPI wants to become "an umbrella
organization for youths" rather than an umbrella organization for
youth groups.

"Therefore, KNPI embraces all Indonesians over 17 and beyond,"
he explained.

A number of youth organizations under KNPI have recently
complained of disillusionment with their leaders and threatened
to pull out of the central committee.

The local chapters of the Indonesian Moslem Student Movement
and the Moslem Students Association in Jombang, East Java, have
announced they were abandoning the KNPI on grounds that the youth
committee has lost its way. Similar complaints had been voiced by
youth organizations in Yogyakarta, Palu in Central Sulawesi, and
Semarang in West Java.

A number of analysts have criticized KNPI for being too
dependent on Golkar, and specifically that it was being used to
further the political ambitions of its leaders. Sociologist Arief
Budiman from Salatiga in Central Java, as well as psychologist
Darmanto Jatman and political scientist Novel Ali, both from
Diponegoro University in Semarang, agreed yesterday that KNPI
needs to assert its independence.

"KNPI has become nothing more than an accessory of youth
organizations. Its vision and mission are not different to those
of the government," Arief charged.

"KNPI should be more innovative and come up with breakthrough
for youth problems like unemployment," he said.

"KNPI is a mama's boy," Darmanto Jatman said.

"The organization should distance itself from Golkar," Novel
Ali suggested.

Leadership in KNPI have in the past served as a springboard
for members to further their political career.

Fachry said the organization would simplify its structure by
doing away with departments and branches at subdistrict levels.

Fachry also said that at least eight names have been
circulating as possible successors to the incumbent, Tubagus
Hayono. These are Adhyaksa, Ramli H.M. Yusuf, Djoko Purwo,
Syaiful Anwar, Mujib Rachmat, Budianto, Gatot Sugito, and
Kaharuddin Syah.

Representatives from the KNPI's 27 chapters, 45 youth
organizations, the Indonesian Youths Council, youths delegation
from Egypt and Malaysia and the Association of Indonesian
Students in the United States (Permias), will participate in the
congress. Vice President Try Soetrisno is scheduled to open the
gathering. (imn/har)