NGOs and the New Order

NGOs and the New Order

From Rakyat Merdeka

Many former officials of the New Order regime are now setting up NGOs and foundations under the pretext of democracy, human rights and other causes.

We all have to keep a watchful eye on these former officials -- who have had notorious track records -- and their disguised NGOs. How can people who have abused human rights and kept a tight rein on democracy be expected to uphold democratic principles? It is a virtually impossible claim. How can people who have never respected human rights be expected to fight for humanity? It is highly unlikely.

They are doing this in the hope that the public will forget their wrongdoings and forgive their past and so be exempted from punishment.

The public will never forget their horrendous acts in the past. Let's reject the NGOs set up by these people. Don't let their slogans deceive us. The New Order regime was very good at employing dirty tricks. They cheated us for more than 32 years. That's enough! It should never happen again.

PUNEL SUNARYO

Jakarta