Groups Of Strong Govt Critics Announce Movement

Jakarta, Jan 7 (ANTARA) - A group of 45 independent leaders known to be strong critics of the government officially announced the establishment of a new organization they call Movement to Uphold State Sovereignty (GMKN) on Monday. GMKN is a moral movement to maintain the values, dignity and sovereignty of the nation, a spokesperson of the organization, leading economic observer Hendri Saparini said. "Indonesia has gone far away from its independence ideals to improve the welfare and prosperity for the people," Hendri said. Departure from the original ideals has prompted the establishment of the non political organization, she added. She said the country`s natural wealth has been exploited more for the interest of foreign powers. Hendri said there are three historical milestones inspiring the establishment of the organization -- The Youth Pledge of Oct. 28 in 1928, Independence Proclamation of August 17 in 1945 and the Djoeanda Declaration of 13 Dec. 1957. "This declaration stresses the importance of territorial, law and political sovereignty ," she said. Meanwhile, chairman of the Muhammadiyah central board Din Sjamsudin, who is one of the initiators of the organization, said there is no political interest in the movement. Din said the establishment of the organization is an expression of deep concern over the deviation in the government management, undermining the sovereignty of the nation. "We see a lot of political, economic and cultural deviations," he said. He said all members of the organization are set to regain and uphold the state sovereignty. Present at the declaration ceremony included national figures representing different generations, religions, professions,political affiliations . Among them were Hanura Party chairman Wiranto, former chairman of Nahdatul Ulama Hasyim Muzadi, former industry minister Fahmi Idris, former finance minister Fuad Bawazir, economists Rizal Ramli and Ihsanudin Mursi, and political observer Ray Rangkuti and oil observer Kurtubi.