Jakarta – The Indonesian Forum for the Environment, or Walhi, objects to the House of Representative's plan to ratify the mass organization bill since it would threaten the freedom of the people to conduct organizational activities.

"We see the ratification of the bill as the signal of an end for the democratic system in our country," Walhi executive director Abetnego Tarigan said in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara News Agency.

As a part of the Coalition on Freedom of Association, Walhi added that the bill was intended as a tool to control civil society by constraining the capacity to associate freely and to express opinions.

According to Abetnego, the bill will eliminate criticism against government policy by civil society organizations.

"This bill must be understood within the context of Indonesia political and economic situation in which investment hinges on security," he explained.

"The bill emerged when farmers, fishermen and indigenous people were staging mass protests against foreign investment since they believed it would endanger the natural resources in their areas," he said.

According to Abetnego, the bill must not be passed because it also contradicts Law No. 32/2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, which provides a space for the civil society to actively play a role in saving the environment.

"As a matter of course, the state should strengthen the civil society's role in managing natural resources," he said.

"The bill actually limits the role of mass organizations and even threats to eliminate critical input from communities that are struggling to get the rights over their environment," he added. (fan)