Short History
Yayasan Merah Putih (YMP) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) founded on 14 December 1989 in Palu, Central Sulawesi and formalized under Indonesia’s Notary Law No. 36 by a public notary, Notary, Kantor Notaris Hans Kansil, SH. It was registered as an NGO on 19 December 1989 with legal status submitted to the Palu District Court, Registration Number 189/1989.
The initial focus of YMP was to conscientize the youths and students. Over time the founders became aware about the lack of capacity of local communities in Central Sulawesi to address issues of injustices, oppression and management of natural resources under the guise of “development” of interests to local, national and international corporations.
In 1992 YMP therefore moved into advocacy and organizing work to empower the local communities in Central Sulawesi, especially among indigenous communities and peasants. This shift was legitimated on 18 March 1993 under Deed of Amendment to the Articles of Establishment Law No.50 for YMP’s continuity as an NGO working for the development of human resources and promotion of sustainable environment.
In 2017 YMP adopted the institutional structure of a foundation and the name change from Yayasan Merah Putih (YMP) to Yayasan Merah Putih Sulawesi Tengah (YMP Sulteng) was made on 23 May 2017 under the Deed of Amendment to the Articles of Establishment Law No.3, and listed in the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia with the registration number AHU-AH.01.06-0005306.
@Translated by Carol Yong from the original in Indonesian.