The Jakarta Post
The government has banned Cordaid, a Dutch funding agency, for allegedly supporting Papuan separatists and running a commercial enterprise, a move some fear would set a bad precedent for the future of NGOs in Papua. Cordaid, one of five foreign funding agencies for Papuan NGOs, has been involved for more than 30 years in social development work in Indonesia, focusing on economic empowerment of the poor. In a letter dated July 23, 2010, to Cordaid country director in Jakarta, Muman Nuryana of the Social Services Ministry said the donor agency had breached a "principle provision" in the memorandum of agreement with the Indonesian government. "Cordaid has been involved in commercial and political activities by being a shareholder of Bank Andara and sponsoring the participation of a community group in the Initiatives for International Dialog *IID*, a forum that supports secess...