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