ICMI criticizes opposition figures<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem
\nIntellectuals (ICMI), an organization chaired since its inception
\nby President B.J. Habibie, blasted government critics yesterday,
\nsaying much of their criticism was unproductive and a waste of
\ntime.<\/p>\n
ICMI officials also lambasted what they described as
\n\"overblown\" reports of mass rapes, arguing that such claims may
\nhave been spread to undermine the government.<\/p>\n
ICMI acting chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro told a media
\nconference that the recent establishment of opposition groups,
\nsuch as the National Front and the Indonesian Movement for
\nJustice and Unity (GKPB), were unproductive in nature.<\/p>\n
\"My friends and I here want all of us to think constructively.
\nIf they don't agree with something, they should not only
\ncriticize but should also provide alternatives,\" said Achmad, who
\nwas accompanied by ICMI executives Parni Hadi, Nasir Tamara and
\nSetyanto P. Santosa.<\/p>\n
Also present was ICMI deputy secretary-general Jimly
\nAsshidique, who had been awarded a Mahaputra medal from Habibie
\nearlier in the morning.<\/p>\n
Achmad said such opposition groups had a right to express
\ntheir opinion, but argued that their criticism was only aimed at
\n\"bringing down Habibie's administration\".<\/p>\n
The National Front was formed last week by a group of retired
\ngenerals and former officials led by Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kemal Idris,
\nwhile the GKPB was launched yesterday by former minister of
\nenvironment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and former minister of
\ntransmigration Siswono Yudohusodo.<\/p>\n
Achmad criticized those who were still arguing against
\nHabibie's legitimacy as president, saying his ascendancy was
\nfully in line with Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
Habibie was sworn in as president when Soeharto resigned from
\noffice on May 21.<\/p>\n
Soeharto stepped down amid fervent discontent of his
\nleadership during the economic crisis and in the wake of
\ndevastating riots which left at least 1,200 dead and thousands of
\nbuildings burned or looted.<\/p>\n
Alarming reports of mass rapes during the unrest in which
\nChinese-Indonesians were a featured target have cropped up.<\/p>\n
Achmad charged that reports of wide-scale sexual assaults
\nduring the May riots in Jakarta and other cities were overblown
\nsince officials had yet to receive any factual evidence of such
\nincidents.<\/p>\n
\"We sense that this is only a political maneuver,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The reports are very disturbing and we are considering
\nmeeting with the groups who are blowing this out of proportion,\"
\nhe added without saying which groups he meant.<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights has asserted that
\nrapes and sexual assaults were committed systematically by an
\nunidentified group of people during the riots.<\/p>\n
Activists from The Volunteers for Humanity said last month
\nthat at least 168 women had been victims of rape and sexual
\nassault in Jakarta and other cities.<\/p>\n
\"The reports (of rape) have been used as a political tool so
\nthat there are now rallies (protesting the atrocities)
\neverywhere.<\/p>\n
\"We will invite the groups at some point and frankly ask them
\nwho is bringing down the economy and secondly, on what basis they
\nhave to blow this (the rape cases) out of proportion without any
\nevidence,\" Achmad remarked.<\/p>\n
There have been continuous demonstrations abroad, particularly
\nin Singapore, China and Taiwan, condemning the rapes and
\nJakarta's poor reaction to them.<\/p>\n
The government recently formed a joint team comprised of
\ngovernment officials and activists to investigate the rapes, but
\ndoubts remain, even among one member of the team, over whether it
\ncan truly uncover the truth behind the alleged incidents. (byg)<\/p>",
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