Speak out of conscience<\/p>\n
On June 13, 1999, I happened to listen to a BBC radio
\ninterview with the acting chairman of the Indonesian Association
\nof Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) about the alleged bribery scandal
\ninvolving the then Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib, who was yet
\nto be suspended from office.<\/p>\n
The answers given by the acting chairman of ICMI were so
\nabsurd, and his all-out defense of Andi M. Ghalib and B.J.
\nHabibie was so obvious, that the interviewer was curious whether
\nhis statements were really the reflection of his conscience.<\/p>\n
In my opinion, as an organization of Muslim intellectuals in a
\ncountry where the population is predominantly Muslim, ICMI can
\nplay its role as an authoritative pressure group toward the
\ngovernment in fighting for public policies and upholding truth
\nand justice.<\/p>\n
The same is also true of the Indonesian Council of Ulema
\n(MUI). Rather than issuing calls and appeals which may worsen the
\ntendency of national disintegration, it would be better for MUI
\nto popularize the idea that corruption, collusion and nepotism in
\nall their forms are religiously illegal.<\/p>\n
If only MUI were consistent with the idea of \"amar ma'ruf nahi
\nmungkar\" (do away with vices and uphold virtues), I believe our
\nnation would not be in the poor condition that it finds itself in
\nnow.<\/p>\n
A. RAHMANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/speak-out-of-conscience-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }