YLBHI finds unique way of solving leadership crisis

YLBHI finds unique way of solving leadership crisis

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has
come up with a unique way to end the chairmanship crisis plaguing
its Yogyakarta chapter: Appoint an activist who received no votes
in the election.

The decision was made during a tense meeting between the
foundation's executive board chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution and
Yogyakarta legal aid activists over the weekend.

The legal "crusaders" named Budi Santoso as the new chairman
of the Yogyakarta chapter, replacing the outgoing boss Nur
Ismanto.

The chairmanship crisis was triggered by Buyung's insistence
on having Ari Suseta at the helm, despite having received only
four votes against his contender A. Budi Hartono, who got six.

Buyung's policy was met with fierce protests. A group of
Yogyakarta Legal Aid activists took their protest to the Jakarta
headquarters last week, charging Buyung as "authoritarian."

"After listening to some consideration and input from members
of the Yogyakarta chapter, YLBHI's executive board decided to
reverse its previous decision," Buyung told journalists after
meeting with 12 key activists.

Buyung made the compromise and repeated the election after he
froze his controversial decision due to the waves of protests
that also came from other non-governmental organizations.

But he maintained that he was "not wrong" when he insisted on
Suseto as chairman because, as the central executive board
chairman, he has the ultimate right to decide who chairs the
foundation's chapters.

"The executive board has the full authority to do that," he
was quoted by Antara as saying.

Buyung, who was apparently irritated by the various protests
against him, advised NGOs activists to criticize and demonstrate
in a "civilized" way.

"It's important that you use polite words in protests and
demonstrations to show the public we NGO activists are civilized
people," he said at the press conference.

During the course of demonstrations that followed his
controversial selection of Suseto, protesters attacked not only
the YLBHI but also him and Suseto personally.

Meanwhile Budi Hartono, who obtained the most votes in the
previous election, said that he had no hard feelings and would
support Budi.

"Budi Santosa has not only the potential to lead the
Yogyakarta legal aid institute but also has the support from
other organizations," he said.

Suseta, who "lost" his chair, also expressed his full support
of Budi.

Budi, 31, is a graduate from the Islamic University of
Yogyakarta. He joined the legal aid foundation in 1991 as a
volunteer. (imn)