Siswono would decline offer to chair PCPP<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo
\nsays he would decline to chair the newly-established Association
\nof Intellectuals for Pancasila Development (PCPP) if the job were
\noffered to him.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think I'm intellectual enough to head an intellectual
\norganization. There are others who are more intellectual,\"
\nSiswono told reporters yesterday, while adding that he views the
\norganization positively.<\/p>\n
The minister confirmed that he had met with some of the PCPP's
\nfounders to discuss the organization's concerns and objectives.
\nHe added, however, that there had not been any formal offer to
\nhim to head the organization.<\/p>\n
The PCPP founders earlier mentioned Siswono among the leading
\nfigures they planned to ask to become their chairman to give the
\nnew organization a national stature. Another possible candidate
\nwho has been mentioned is Edi Sudradjat, the minister of defense
\nand security.<\/p>\n
The organization has been without a chairman since it was
\nestablished in July by a group of intellectuals from the Jenderal
\nSudirman University in Purwokerto, Central Java. It has enlisted
\nmembers and supporters in other cities and plans are currently
\nunderway for the group to hold its first congress in the Central
\nJavanese capital Semarang next month.<\/p>\n
Two respected statesmen, Gen. (ret.) Surono and Gen. (ret.)
\nSuhardiman, the chairman of the influential SOKSI mass
\norganization, have reportedly agreed to sit on the PCPP's board
\nof patrons.<\/p>\n
The PCPP's inception is widely seen as a challenge to existing
\nintellectuals' organizations, whose membership is based on
\nreligion.<\/p>\n
The most prominent of these established groups is the
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), which is
\nheaded by State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.
\nThe other three major intellectuals' groups are the Christian
\nPIKI, the Buddhist KCBI and the Catholic ISKI.<\/p>\n
Concern<\/p>\n
The growing influence of the ICMI in Indonesian politics has
\nled to expressions of concern that the nation is heading toward
\nthe sectarianism of the past.<\/p>\n
Siswono said the PCPP offers intellectuals an alternative
\nforum that is not based on religious faith. \"I think it's
\nlegitimate. It's good,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The minister said he might consider joining the organization
\nonce it has formed its executive board and settled upon its
\nprograms and statutes.<\/p>\n
\"Right now, I'm not a member of any (intellectual)
\norganization,\" said Siswono, who is an engineer by training.<\/p>\n
An intellectuals' organization does not have to be led by a
\ncabinet minister, he said, adding that the absence of such a
\nleader does not mean that an organization is less significant or
\nrespectable. He added that, in his opinion, any one of the
\nfounding members of the organization would be capable of leading
\nthe group.<\/p>\n
The minister said he was impressed with the concerns expressed
\nby the PCPP's founders as the background to the group's
\nestablishment. \"I see them as clear-thinking people who are
\ngenuinely concerned about the future of this nation.<\/p>\n
\"We're entering an era of globalization and liberalization
\nthat is prompting us to ask whether or not we are heading for a
\ncapitalist system.<\/p>\n
\"Are we not departing from Article 33 of the Constitution?\" he
\nasked, referring the constitution's requirement that the state
\ncontrol natural resources which affect the livelihood of the mass
\nof the people.<\/p>\n
Siswono was speaking after meeting with President Soeharto at
\nthe latter's Jl. Cendana residence to report about a plan to
\nappoint a new director general in his ministry to oversee the
\nmobilization and placement of settlers.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he had also discussed the PCPP with the
\nPresident, Siswono replied: \"With all due respect, even if I had,
\nI reserve the right not to disclose it to you.\" (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/siswono-would-decline-offer-to-chair-pcpp-1447893297",
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