Problematic NGOs face strong action
JAKARTA (JP): The government has promised to take strong action against at least 31 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) identified as problematic.
Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman told journalists yesterday that the problematic organizations were identified after the government had taken an inventory of the estimated 8,000 NGOs operating in Indonesia.
Soesilo refused to reveal the names of the targeted NGOs.
"Of the 8,000 NGOs there are a few which are problematic, not many, only about 31 or 32," he said after a ministerial meeting on political affairs and security.
Present at the meeting were Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie SM, Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat, Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Minister of Information Harmoko and Attorney General Singgih.
The criteria used to define "problematic" NGOs identified those that did not advocate the Pancasila state ideology and those with illegal activities, Soesilo said.
"Action will be taken, just wait for it," he said, but refused to state the nature of the promised action.
Government officials in the past few months have uttered general warnings directed toward recalcitrant NGOs. These threats have come amidst a widening crackdown on political activists suspected of being involved in the July 27 riots in Jakarta.
The government has been drafting regulations for NGO activities. NGOs have resisted, saying that if they must be regulated, it must be by legislation, and not by presidential or ministerial decree.
Soesilo would not budge when pressed to reveal the names of the problematic NGOs. He merely pointed to the unrecognized Democratic People's Party (PRD), currently accused of masterminding the July 27 riots, as an example.
While the PRD has been banned and its leaders arrested, there are still many affiliated organizations, he said.
"They should check their consciences and ask themselves what they have been doing so far," Soesilo replied when journalists said that concealing names could be unnerving for legitimate NGOs.
No names were dropped, but several hints were. Problematic NGOs launched activities beyond the realm of their original concerns, he said.
One environmental NGO had concerned itself not with environmental issues but with political ones, he said.
Despite the likelihood of action against those NGOs legitimate NGOs were still needed, Soesilo said.
"NGOs are (the government) partners in the development of the nation," he asserted.
Soesilo also said the meeting commended the swift and wise action taken by authorities to curb the religious riots which broke out in Situbondo, East Java, on Oct. 10.
Soesilo congratulated the provincial government, the Brawijaya regional military command and religious and community leaders for their response to the riots in which several churches burned and five people were killed.
Everyone should learn from this tragic event and prevent it from happening again, he said.
Soesilo, on behalf of the other ministers, expressed his deep concern about the continuing destruction of coral reefs and their marine habitats. (mds)