Minister of Home Affairs: There are 394,250 Registered Mass Organizations

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo at a press conference on 4-Year Report of President Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla Administration, in Jakarta, Thursday (25/10). (Photo: Deny S/PR)

Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo emphasized that, referring to the law, everyone in Indonesia has rights to establish a political party or social organization.

“Currently,there are 394,250 mass organizations that have registered their organizations through central government institutions, such as Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Human Rights and Ministry of Foreign Affairs or through other institutions at regional levels,” said the Minister at a press conference on 4-Year Report of Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla Administration, in Jakarta, Thursday (10/25).

According to Kumolo, that number has not yet included the motorcycle gang which also categorized as a mass organization.

Regarding the development of these mass organizations, Kumolo said it is the responsibility of the Attorney General to observe such organizations.

“The Attorney General must ensure that every organization obeys the law. For example, Islamic organizations must follow the Quran and hadith teachings. The same thing applies to all religions,” Kumolo explained.

However, for organizations that violate the law and disturb public order, the Police as well as the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) are responsible to handle it.

As for organizations that violate Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, or are planning to damage the unity of Indonesia, according to the Minister, they must be tackled immediately.

“For those kinds of organizations, it is our responsibility to handle it, not only the Police or the Public Order Agency,” Kumolo concluded. (MAY / DNS / ES)