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| Role of NGOs |
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The development of the NGO sector is an important part of the development of civil society and the prevention and management of political and social tensions in Indonesia. Indonesian NGOs are as plural and diverse as Indonesian society with different visions, methods and scales of operation. They are active throughout Indonesia in attempts to improve human security and social, economic and environmental affairs, and their numbers have mushroomed in recent years. Today there are thousands of domestically active organizations, mostly locally organized, often around villages, and over 100 national organizations, as well as umbrella organizations such as INFID (International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development).
Some NGOs - such as YLBHI, PBHI, Elsam, Kontras, and Walhi - were instrumental in pro-democracy movements during the Suharto era, and have tried to reposition themselves in the new political system. These organizations have had to respond to the fact that the state has, at least in rhetoric, adopted their reform agenda and that a number of former activists are now in government, including President Wahid himself.
Some participants observed that in this era of reform, NGOs lack a clear target and there is confusion about their role. Despite their increasing numbers, only a few have had significant success in helping to make sense of the political chaos.
Causes such as biodiversity and the environment are viewed as safe non-political terrain, and are thus popular with international donors. This focus has encouraged Indonesian NGOs to frame, if not always to conduct, their activities in these terms, rather than to confront issues such as class inequality or land struggles. Some believe that this tendency may have compromised their ability to represent the interests of local communities.
The recent confrontation between the President and Parliament is considered to have confused pro-democracy NGOs, who appear undecided about whether to distance themselves from the power struggle and to reemphasize their demands for reform, or to side with President Wahid and in so doing support non-democratic means.
Many NGOs have a considerable role in conflict prevention, not only directly through their activities and methods but also indirectly; as community advocates, their activities may reveal the deep-rooted causes of local tensions.
Aceh is an example of an area in which NGOs are persistently active, despite the continuing violence, in documenting human rights abuses and disappearances, in encouraging continued tolerance of Islam and in seeking an end to the violence. Yet they remain weak, with a low capacity for making connections both among themselves and with the international media. Self-censorship is widely in evidence through intimidation by GAM and by the government. NGOs in Aceh face a strict choice between allegiance to one or the other side, which hinders their ability to empower civil society. Intense pressure from both GAM and the government limits the ability of these NGOs to criticize actions and to reveal human rights abuses. The recently facilitated dialogue between GAM and the government did not involve civil society, thereby frustrating the attempts of the NGO community to play a role as peacemakers.
An example of the quandaries facing an Acehnese NGO is a group that works for independence and brings the plight of the Acehnese to the world. The clear bias of the organization towards independence has prevented it from receiving support from international donors whose governments have expressed support for the “territorial integrity of Indonesia.”
Despite the many challenges and pressures, NGOs in Aceh are highly active in many areas including addressing corruption, involving the community in provincial budgeting, and the empowering of women through gender awareness. Some organizations examine the possible impact of the imposition of Syariah (Islamic Law) while others work to aid their fellow Acehnese who have been displaced by the violence.
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