ICMI to avoid debate on president, VP<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 members of the influential
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) will gather
\nin Bogor, West Java for an annual congress this week, but they
\nwill shun discourse on presidential and vice presidential
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
ICMI Secretary-General Adi Sasono told a press conference on
\nthe eve of the congress yesterday the meeting would instead focus
\non more substantial matters, which include social, economic and
\npolitical reforms that contribute to democratization and the rule
\nof law.<\/p>\n
Results of the congress will be submitted to the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR), whose first stage of its general
\nsession is underway, according to Adi.<\/p>\n
\"We are not running a political organization and we come from
\nvarious backgrounds, so how can we agree on the candidates?<\/p>\n
\"Of course, there will be debate on the issue of succession of
\nthe national leadership because a lot of intellectuals are
\ngathering, but we won't issue a formal stance on it,\" Adi said.<\/p>\n
Adi said the discourse on presidential and vice presidential
\ncandidates was not ICMI's business, because it did not have the
\ncompetency to talk about it.<\/p>\n
\"We'd rather discuss how to build a democratic political
\nsystem, political openness and a transparent and fair economic
\nsystem, regardless of the people who will carry out the job,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-strong Assembly will regroup next March to endorse
\nthe State Policy Guidelines and elect a president and vice
\npresident.<\/p>\n
ICMI chairman B.J. Habibie, who is also Minister of Research
\nand Technology, is scheduled to open the congress today. The
\ncongress will conclude Thursday. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/icmi-to-avoid-debate-on-president-vp-1447893297",
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