The role of NGOs

The Jakarta military commander's view of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is most appropriate. So was his comment regarding the existing false perception that all NGOs are trouble makers that oppose the government.

He emphasized that NGOs are neither opposition nor trouble makers, but good partners for the government. NGOs help preserve stability in the regions. He said, however, that such wrong perceptions could become reality if NGOs take a wrong direction and become overzealous. He suggested that NGOs help correct those wrong perceptions through positive actions and ideas.

The development and changes which society is undergoing are rapid and intensive. The large, well managed and well equipped organizations are inadequate for dealing with these developments and changes. Nor are they adequate for serving the need of societal groups to express themselves, to protect their interests and to present their problems.

The home work that must be done is to creatively fortify this positive impression and to correct the wrong perceptions regarding NGOs. The political will and the goodwill that is needed for this must come from all parties involved: the NGOs, the community, including the mass media, and also from the government and its apparatus.

-- Kompas, Jakarta