Hartono's ICMI entry<\/p>\n
Minister of Information R. Hartono seems to have an aptitude
\nfor making news. At least since his surprise appointment to the
\ncabinet in June, Hartono has been watched closely by many circles
\nas a rising star in the country's political domain. When this
\nretired four-star general and former Army chief was installed in
\na sociopolitical position, it seemed a real achievement in this
\ncountry. Many people had believed that he would get a diplomatic
\npost.<\/p>\n
Hartono's statement that he wanted to join the influential
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), was yet
\nanother surprise. Even more astounding was the news that he was
\nready to lead the influential organization.<\/p>\n
The statement heralded a political turnaround because there
\nare no plans for an ICMI congress before the year 2000.
\nFurthermore ICMI's relationship with the ruling elite has become
\nless intimate since Dr. Amien Rais, the chairman of its board of
\nexperts, abruptly resigned. Amien, who is also chairman of the
\nsocial and educational organization Muhammadiyah, had enjoyed the
\nfreedom to censure many government policies. With the resignation
\nof Amien, ICMI's popularity among many Moslems was reduced.<\/p>\n
This perhaps contributed to speculation about Hartono being
\nfavored to lead the organization. As a cabinet minister, Hartono
\nneeded a green light from President Soeharto to join the
\nassociation. He received permission to go ahead with this social
\nactivity earlier this week.<\/p>\n
Although the congress meeting is a few years down the track,
\nmany people have expressed support for Hartono's election. One
\nreason for his popularity may be the strong Islamic links in his
\nfamily. However it will be the congress that decides who will be
\nthe ICMI leader to take the organization into the next century.<\/p>\n
ICMI was set up as a social organization in 1990. Its Moslem
\nsupporters believe that it would be able to do the job that
\nMuhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, another Moslem organization,
\nwere unable to accomplish.<\/p>\n
But Abdurrahman Wahid, the leader of the 30-million member
\nNahdlatul Ulama, had suspected the organization was heading
\ntoward sectarianism, a hazardous development for the nation. In
\nan apparent effort to counter the campaign, ICMI forged close
\ncooperation with the intellectual organizations of other
\nreligious groups.<\/p>\n
Only President Soeharto's willingness to act as ICMI's patron
\nseveral years ago managed to neutralize the movement against
\nICMI, from inside and outside the government.<\/p>\n
ICMI chairman Habibie, who is also research and technology
\nminister, seems to have realized the imbalance and he deemed it
\nnecessary to emphasize again the ICMI's basic social principles.<\/p>\n
Only time will tell what kind of organization Moslems want
\nICMI to become and who will lead it into the 21st century.<\/p>\n
We are certain that the unfolding of events in the future will
\naffect the country's social and political organizations and
\nHartono's position.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hartonos-icmi-entry-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}