Habibie asks ICMI to make 2004 elections a success

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former president BJ Habibie called on Friday members of the Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association (ICMI) he founded to provide the public with accurate information on the elections.

Habibie said such information would help voters choose the right legislative candidates and president.

"ICMI is an organization of intellectuals. The duty of intellectuals is to provide people with correct information so they can do everything right," Habibie said in his opening remarks at ICMI's national meeting here.

However, Habibie, asserted that ICMI, despite the demand to be active in the election-related activities, was not an organization with political goals.

"ICMI should distance itself from political parties, as it is not affiliated to a certain party," said Habibie, who looked energetic as he delivered an unscripted speech that lasted almost two hours.

Habibie founded ICMI in 1990 when he was state minister of research and technology under president Soeharto. Many accused the organization of being Soeharto's vehicle to expand support among Muslims.

Other founders included Amien Rais, the current People's Consultative Assembly speaker, Achmad Tirtosoediro, the last chairman of the now-defunct Supreme Advisory Body, and former coordinating minister for people's welfare Azwar Anas.

Known as Soeharto's hand-picked heir, Habibie rose to the vice presidency during Soeharto's final tenure, assuming the presidency after Soeharto resigned in May 1998 following relentless demonstrations against him.

It was under Habibie's brief tenure the previous election in 1999 was organized and won international applause. But Habibie dropped his presidential bid after the People's Consultative Assembly rejected his accountability speech.

Habibie, who has been living in Germany since then, said the upcoming elections should result in better representatives and leaders for the people.

"The next election is a very important moment for Indonesia because it will affect the fate of our country. So, I call on ICMI, together with other organization, to make the election the most successful one yet," he told some 300 attendees.

Indonesia will hold the legislative election in April and the landmark direct presidential election in July next year.

"But let us concentrate on the election of legislative members first. Only after that we can shift to the presidential election. We have to work in a systematic way," he said.

Habibie also highlighted the importance of the war against money politics in the upcoming elections.

"Don't vote for somebody because of money, because the one who pays us will ask for a much higher payback," said Habibie.

The ICMI national meeting will last until Sunday.

Apart from Habibie, noted intellectuals and politicians and businesspeople, including economist Mari Pangestu, former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, Arifin Panigoro and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will speak in the meeting.