REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo acknowledged that the number of mass organizations in Indonesia is huge. According to him, it needs to be given common attention.
"What needs to be given attention in this country is freedom to set up political parties and mass organizations. Up till now, the number of mass organization has reached 394,250," Tjahjo stated, while delivering a presentation on President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) administration's achievement over the past four years, at the State Secretariat, here, on Thursday.
These mass organizations have been registered in the Home Affairs Ministry, the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. In addition to the nearly 400 thousand mass organizations, there are also motorcycle clubs and other alliances.
"That number does not include motor gangs and alliances," he added.
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He emphasized that those mass organizations need special attention, particularly regarding their objectives and activities, and whether they are in line with the 1945 Constitution. The government has so far taken a stern stance concerning the presence of those mass organizations, by daring to decide on friends and enemies, Tjahjo revealed.
"It is our common task to dare to take a stance against the attempts made by groups wanting to change the Pancasila and the 1945 Constitutions and disturb the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," Tjahjo pointed out.