Are there Islamic hard-liners?

Are there Islamic hard-liners?

From Pelita

There could be no Muslim fundamentalists in this country. I, for one, do not believe in the existence of Islamic fundamentalists here. If such a group was in existence, I believe many figures who have done a lot in the interest of Islam would not be alive now. People like Maraden Panggabean, Sudomo, Benny Moerdani, Sintong Panjaitan and many others would have had a difficult time.

In reality, they are still in good shape, and some of them have even reached the peak of their career. Soeharto was elected president seven times. Panggabean was an Armed Forces commander; as was Benny Moerdani. Sudomo held different ministerial posts, his last being chairman of the supreme advisory council.

Another figure, Hendropriyono, is now minister of transmigration, and one of his previous posts was chief of the Jakarta Military Command.

Have they ever become a target of terrorism? I am pretty sure they have not. Former vice president Try Sutrisno's family even has a business relationship with Amir Biki's family (in fact, Amir Biki was one of the victims of Tanjung Priok tragedy in 1984). Hendropriyono, who has intimate relations with former political detainees and political prisoners, is now actively improving the socioeconomic conditions of the latter.

Given these facts, the allegations concerning the existence of Islamic hard-liners are an unfounded issue.

ALI ACHMAD

Jakarta