NGOs as partners

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are often seen as troublemakers. We feel fortunate that the Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman thinks differently. He explained that there are at present about 8,000 NGOs in Indonesia and that out of that number only 32 have problems.

The growth in the number of NGOs should indeed be viewed positively and taken as an indication of growing public participation in the affairs of our nation. For this reason it is to be hoped that the government adopts a policy which places emphasis on turning NGOs into partners in development, rather than view them as potential threats and inhibit them.

The intention of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) to hold talks with NGOs to draft its development plans is a laudable initial step. We hope this initial step will not prove to be also the last. On the contrary, we hope it will signal the germination of a true partnership.

This is not a hope expressed without basis. As we see it, the increasing role which our private sector is now playing in our national economy will surely have certain negative impacts which must be anticipated. The government's intention to eventually rely on the (generally profit-motivated) private sector to shoulder 75 percent of investments will mean a decreased government role in various sectors, including those serving the public interest. As a consequence the role of society -- represented in this case by NGOs -- must be stepped up.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta