A fight for existence<\/p>\n
The 42-year-old Moslem Students' Association (HMI) was an
\neasy target of criticism from both within and without as it held
\na chaotic congress in Surabaya last week. The congress was closed
\nearly morning yesterday after electing a new chairman, Taufiq
\nHidayat, 29, a post-graduate student of the University of
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
HMI, which is known for its fierce fight against communism
\nbefore 1966, has been criticized for inaction and declining
\npopularity over the last decade. The organization has all but
\nlost contact with life on the campuses, which has been its
\nfoundation since its beginnings in 1947. It has also been accused
\nof becoming too busy with itself and of being less and less
\nsensitive towards social changes. Some critics say its leaders
\nhave acted more like bureaucrats than intellectuals who are
\nsupposed to possess the capability to formulate concepts based on
\nthe Holy Koran to heal society's ills.<\/p>\n
The way the Surabaya congress dragged on to close one day late
\ndid not help to improve the organization's image. The situation
\nwas such that the emotions and poor sense of discipline of the
\ndelegates made the discussion of serious matters all but
\nimpossible.<\/p>\n
The current condition of the organization is a far cry from
\nthat of the 1950s and 1960s, when HMI was led by activists who
\nlater played important roles in Indonesian society. They include
\nthe now retired Lieutenant General Achmad Tirtosudiro, the first
\nhead of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog); Abdurrachman
\nGunadirdja, the ambassador to Beijing until recently; Dr. Deliar
\nNoer, an American-educated political scientist and head of the
\nthink tank of the Group of 50 government critics; Ismail Hasan
\nMetareum, chairman of the United Development Party; Mar'ie
\nMohammad, the minister of finance, and Nurcholis Madjid, a noted
\nMoslem intellectual, just to mention a few.<\/p>\n
But HMI is not alone in suffering such a crisis. The dilemma
\nhas also hit other student and youth organizations. Up to several
\nyears ago HMI still grouped itself with nationalist and Christian
\nstudent organizations under the Cipayung Group, which was active
\nin discussing the nation's problems. These other organizations
\nare also less active today than they were in the past.<\/p>\n
University student organizations have found themselves
\nseverely limited by the 1978 government policy banning students
\nfrom involvement in political activities on campus. Students are
\nnow only allowed to channel their political aspirations outside
\nof their campuses.<\/p>\n
This drastic step was taken after the massive anti-government
\ndemonstrations by students in Bandung and Jakarta, and was
\nintended to depoliticize the nation's campuses. This measure was
\nfollowed up by the introduction of the academic credit system,
\nwhich compelled students to concentrate even more on their
\nstudies.<\/p>\n
In the wake of these moves, each campus event, or gathering of
\nyoung people, seemed to have invisible hands mixing in and
\nthrowing their support behind certain candidates for chairman.
\nThe participants of these student and youth congresses slowly
\nbecame accustomed to hearing speeches by high-placed people.<\/p>\n
The government seems to continue to want to protect itself
\nfrom the danger of student political activities. And some
\nstudents have claimed that the authorities are afraid of their
\npower because it was a student movement that was instrumental in
\ntoppling president Sukarno.<\/p>\n
But that is now clearly a matter of history. The impact of the
\ngovernment's policy on student involvement in politics has made
\nyouth and student organizations less and less attractive to young
\npeople, who are becoming increasingly insensitive towards the
\nnation's problems.<\/p>\n
We are afraid that this will make our young people feeble
\nleaders when their turns come to replace the present generation.<\/p>\n
Of course, there is the KNPI, a coordinating federation of
\nyouths, but many people get the impression that it does nothing
\nmore than to toe the government line.<\/p>\n
HMI's newly-elected chairman has said that the organization
\nwill reinforce its bases in the campuses in an effort to reform
\nitself and become meaningful for society once again. We will just
\nhave to wait to see how successful he will be.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-fight-for-existence-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}