Habibie asks ICMI to make 2004 elections a success

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.