Problematic NGOs face strong action

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)