From a total of 22 people employed by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), 19 resigned Thursday in protest against the foundation's current leadership.

Established in 1971, YLBHI was regarded during the New Order as a staunch defender of those in need and of human rights. The legal aid institute has been regarded as a training ground for noted lawyers, who started their careers taking pro bono cases.

The 19 said they thought the characteristics and visions of A. Patra M. Zen "fell short of their expectations". The employees said they felt "suppressed" under Patra's authoritative leadership and said his vision was not in line with the organization's motives.

"Patra issued an organizational policy to bring in at least Rp 5 billion (US$537,634) per year to finance operations," Fenta Peturun, former internal deputy for the foundation, told a press conference at the foundation's office.

"Our organization's mission is to help suppressed poor citizens who need legal assistance, not to collect money. He has transformed the organization into profit (oriented) body."

Fenta said the social solidarity values of the foundation had been betrayed through the application of new internal regulations.

Employees were photographed as they embraced one another after the press conference ended. Patra was not available for comment.

Tabrani Abby, who refused to resign from the organization, said, "They have right to do that, but I think that they should have discussed their disagreements in the forum first... that is the right procedure". "However, the reason I am staying is because I still want to serve the foundation. I am not just working for Patra," he said.

Founder Adnan Buyung Nasution told The Jakarta Post there were no serious problems inside the foundation, including any change of vision or ideology.

"The employees only object (to) Patra's management style, which is considered to be arrogant or authoritarian," Adnan said. "I think this is only a matter of character. They should have brought the issue to the forum instead of such abrupt action. But I honor their decision."

Adnan also dismissed allegations there was any such target for the foundation to raise Rp 5 billion a year.