Jakarta – The government has called on local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to obey the laws governing the establishment of such groups, and has asked foreign NGOs to obtain official permission to carry out work in the country.
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the State Secretariat made the appeal during a discussion on Thursday hosted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency's NGO-Desk in Jakarta, saying this would make it easier for the government to administer NGOs. "Ever since the reform movement began, many non-governmental organization have been established. The problem is, many of these groups have deviated from the initial purpose of their establishment," said Budiharjo, a senior official at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.
"They were supposed to be non-profit organizations, but in reality many of them have become money-earning institutions. The law on foundations was issued to correct these flaws," he said.
Law No. 16/2001 governing the establishment and legality of foundations was amended last year by Law No. 24/2004, which among other things added articles on the payment of salaries to the staff and management of NGOs.
Budiharjo said the amendment was aimed at affirming the non-profit nature of foundations, while at the same time ensuring their public accountability.
He said both laws obliged foundations to register with the ministry after obtaining legal documents, such as an official letter of domicile issued by the local subdistrict head and a tax registration number.
"I am aware that many foundations do not abide by the regulations. But the law gives them five years to adapt," he said.
Rizal Basri, head of the Foreign Technical Cooperation Bureau at the State Secretariat, emphasized that foreign NGOs also had to comply with the regulations set out by the government.
"Foreign NGOs that want to work in Indonesia should report to the State Secretariat. This is aimed at coordinating communication among the various government institutions and regional administrations that will deal with their work," Rizal said during the discussion.
He said special treatment would be given to workers of foreign NGOs who reported to his office.
"They will get a duty free card to buy goods in Indonesian stores or supermarkets without being charged a value added taxes," he said, adding that abolishing such facilities would be the only sanction given to foreign NGOs that violated registration procedures.
Rizal said the registration procedures were also established to prevent foreign NGOs from engaging in harmful or negative activities in the country.
"I have received a report that a foreign NGO has raised funds in Indonesia by selling merchandise. That is not what they said they would do here. Their initial intention was to assist Indonesians, not raise funds," he said without identifying the organization.