Non-governmental organizations

Non-governmental organizations

From Tempo

I was moved to write this letter after reading the article "Appeal to the Indonesian non-governmental organizations" (Tempo June 4, 1994) by Drg. Abraham Ilyas St. Marajo. According to reports in various newspapers, there is an NGO activist who was actively involved in supporting the holding of the recent Asia- Pacific Conference on East Timor (APCET) in Manila.

I agree with Abraham who warned Indonesian NGOs not to fall into the trap of foreign activities that try to break Indonesia into fragments. To support the conference can be taken to mean that the NGO is siding with the Fretilin movement and opposes the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.

The era of openness and globalization should not be misused for negative purposes which may harm the national stability and development. We must learn from other countries which experience catastrophe as a result of prolonged civil war.

WAHYONO

Jakarta