A role for ICMI<\/p>\n
There are at least three aspects of last week's congress of
\nthe Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) which
\ndeserve the nation's attention. First, the re-election of B.J.
\nHabibie, one of this country's most active and important
\nscholars; second, the composition of the organization's new
\nexecutive board, which consists of many intellectuals from many
\ndifferent circles; and, third, the organization's attitude toward
\nthe challenges currently facing the nation.<\/p>\n
Habibie's re-election was quite predictable for long-time
\nobservers, since he has become an inseparable part of the
\norganization. His name has almost become synonymous that of ICMI.
\nThe congress proved that Habibie's popularity is intact. The
\nsupport he enjoyed from the vast majority of delegates showed
\nthat most of the organization's membership still cannot imagine
\nwhat would become of ICMI without Habibie.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto, who has since the beginning been chairman
\nof ICMI's board of patrons, did not intervene in the election of
\nthe new board. Nevertheless, his clout in the organization and
\nHabibie's closeness to him has been significant. In a society in
\nwhich paternalism is still dominant, to have an ally in someone
\nwho enjoys such extraordinary influence and unchallenged
\nleadership means to be secure for an indefinite period.<\/p>\n
The inclusion in ICMI's new leadership of so many politicians
\nand former politicians shows that the organization wanted to
\nrecruit as many intellectuals and members of the ruling elite as
\npossible in order to implement its programs. The variety of
\npeople on the new executive board is extraordinary. The board now
\nincludes people like Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, the country's
\nmost senior economist, who has never been noted as showing any
\nparticular attention to religious concerns.<\/p>\n
The question of the intensity of one's religious devotion is
\napparently not an overriding consideration for ICMI, which works
\non an Islamic platform, presumably because an executive's ability
\nto uphold and promote the organization's programs is considered
\nto be of greater importance. ICMI is evidently trying hard to
\nimpress upon the public that it is a program-oriented and viable
\norganization.<\/p>\n
The challenges which are faced by ICMI, as listed by the
\norganization at the congress, are those which are also being
\nfaced by the nation as a whole. They include a lack of openness,
\nweaknesses in the system of control over the administration,
\npoverty, economic and social disparities, human rights violations
\nand the question of democracy.<\/p>\n
These are all national problems which should be addressed with
\nsome urgency.<\/p>\n
It was quite heartening to hear the organization's statement,
\nmade public at the end of the congress. It demonstrated that the
\nintellectuals grouped in ICMI are paying a good deal of attention
\nto the problems of the people at large. And, judging from the
\nlarge number of high-ranking government officials in the
\norganization, we do not foresee any difficulties for ICMI in
\ncarrying out its programs.<\/p>\n
ICMI should be able to stand at the front line in combating
\nthe problems which are confronting the nation. The position
\noccupied by the organization in the Indonesian social and
\npolitical scene has led many observers to conclude that the
\norganization will enjoy a special relationship, not only with the
\nestablishment, but also with the ruling party, Golkar.<\/p>\n
The role played by ICMI seems set to grow more important as
\nthe nation moves into the 21st century, which has been dubbed the
\nAge of the Pacific Rim, a dynamic region in which economic giants
\nreside and tight rivalry prevails. It would indeed seem that any
\norganization without a clear plan and the ability to implement it
\nhas little hope of survival in this era.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-role-for-icmi-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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