Intellectual group seeks top leader<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A new intellectual organization founded last
\nmonth by lecturers at General Soedirman University in Purwokerto,
\nCentral Java, is looking for a leader of national stature in line
\nwith its goal to expand beyond its campus borders.<\/p>\n
Iswanto, deputy coordinator of the Persatuan Cendekiawan
\nPembangunan Pancasila (Association of Intellectuals for Pancasila
\nDevelopment) or PCPP for short, said that the founders hope to
\ncontact two senior cabinet ministers, Edi Sudradjat and Siswono
\nYudohusodo, to discuss the leadership position.<\/p>\n
Iswanto did not specifically say whether these two were
\nregarded as possible candidates for the job but stressed the
\norganization is counting on their support and patronage.<\/p>\n
He told Antara that the PCPP leader must be an intellectual of
\n\"national or even international caliber\" so that the organization
\ncould advance.<\/p>\n
He added that PCPP is a national, rather than a local
\norganization.<\/p>\n
Edi, a retired Army general, is the minister of defense and
\nsecurity, while Siswono is minister of transmigration. Both men
\nare known for their strong nationalist persuasions and have in
\nthe past stated their support for the establishment of an
\nintellectual organization with a more nationalist outlook.<\/p>\n
There were no immediate takers when the two ministers proposed
\nthe idea last year. But staff lecturers at General Soedirman
\nseized the initiative and announced the establishment of PCPP on
\nJuly 29 this year.<\/p>\n
The founders have denied that they are an alternative forum to
\nthe religion-based intellectual organizations that have sprung up
\nand grown in strength in recent years.<\/p>\n
The Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals, for
\nexample, is considered to have gained political clout under the
\nleadership of State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie.<\/p>\n
Iswanto said that before selecting its leaders or approaching
\nthe prospective figures for the positions, PCPP must first
\nfulfill the administrative requirements as ruled by the 1985 Law
\non Mass Organizations.<\/p>\n
The law states that the minister of home affairs is the patron
\nof all mass organizations.<\/p>\n
The new organization's founders therefore hope to travel to
\nJakarta soon to meet with Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie
\nS.M. to discuss the establishment of the PCPP, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We want to explain to the ministers the background of the
\norganization, its principles and objectives and its activities,\"
\nIswanto said.<\/p>\n
The founders also hope to meet with Edi Sudradjat and travel
\nto other parts of Java, including Malang, Bandung, Surabaya and
\nMedan, he added. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/intellectual-group-seeks-top-leader-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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