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SBY tells foreign NGOs: ‘Back off domestic affairs’

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has warned international green groups not to meddle in the country’s domestic affairs, saying that their campaigns against forest destruction could hamper his government’s efforts to lift people out of poverty

Nani Afrida (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, December 23, 2011

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SBY tells foreign NGOs: ‘Back off domestic affairs’

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resident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has warned international green groups not to meddle in the country’s domestic affairs, saying that their campaigns against forest destruction could hamper his government’s efforts to lift people out of poverty.

Yudhoyono expressed gratitude for what international groups had done in the country, but reminded them to “stay away” from the country’s domestic affairs.

“I welcome all criticism addressed to the government. However, criticism from foreign environmental NGOs sounds as if the Indonesian government does not want to save the environment. They even make it sound like the government doesn’t exist. Don’t tear this country apart,” he said in his speech to commemorate Women’s Day on Thursday.

Yudhoyono said it was impossible for the government to meet the demands by international NGOs to stop all palm oil companies from operating in Indonesia, as it would destroy both the economy and the livelihoods of many people.

“Indonesia welcomes international partnerships in saving the environment. But asking us to stop all palm oil companies from operating is too much,” he said.

Environmental groups were baffled by the President’s statement.

“He should have pointed out which NGOs he accuses of tearing the country apart,” said Elis Nurhayati, spokeswoman for The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

She also questioned the motive behind the statement.

“It is a pity he made such a statement because, as one of the international NGOs in question, TNC always does its best when addressing environmental issues in Indonesia. We have also been partners with the government because it would be illegal to work here without involving the government,” she said.

Elis said the government should be more open to criticism.

“We criticize because we care about what happens in this country. The government must be open to all criticism because it will help improve the government’s performance. TNC as a foreign NGO working in Indonesia appreciates what the government has been doing to promote sustainable development in the country. There is still room for improvement, so let’s work together to make things better,” said Elis.

Greenpeace’s legal advisor, Muhnur, also said Yudhoyono should have been clear about which NGOs he accused of tearing the country apart.

“We believe we are not in the same group with those NGOs the President accused of ruining the country. Greenpeace is a legal national organization,” said Muhnur.

Muhnur said Greenpeace was aware of criticisms that they were deemed harsh in criticizing palm oil companies in the country.

“Greenpeace doesn’t oppose palm oil companies. We oppose companies that destroy the environment and violate human rights,” he said.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), a domestic environmental group which builds partnerships with many international NGOs, said the President’s speech indicated that he had begun to take the side of the big corporations on the environmental issues in the country.

“The President has clearly misunderstood NGOs, which strive for sustainable development in Indonesia. It’s also obvious that he sides with the corporations. He should have launched an evaluation on the performance of companies operating in this country and meted out punishments to those who violated human rights,” Walhi’s executive director, Berry Nahdian Forqan, said. (msa)

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