Walhi celebrates 25th anniversary

Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) executive director Chalid Muhammad (left) talks with former minister of the environment Sonny Keraf during a ceremony held to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary.

Chalid urged on Saturday environmental organizations to get a greater portion of the public involved in advocating environmental issues.

"Entering its 25th year, Walhi intends to transform the country's environmental movement into deep-rooted and sustainable activism. Environmental issues will always be a part of a social movement," he said in his speech.

"Environmental issues should no longer be the sole concern of NGOs, but should be the concern of all Indonesians," he said.

Noted politicians, activists and celebrities attended the celebration, held at the historical Gedung Joeang '45 building in Central Jakarta.

Aside from Sonny, Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) member Usman Hamid and actress-cum-activist Wanda Hamidah were also in attendance.

Walhi, which was established on Oct. 15, 1980 in Jakarta by 10 non-governmental organizations with support from the then ministry of the environment and population, has developed into a large, popular and influential non-governmental organization.

At present, the organization has 26 provincial branches with 436 organization members. -- JP/Tb. Arie Rukmana