ICMI calls for end to attacks on Habibie

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) called for an end to the attacks on President B.J. Habibie's legitimacy yesterday, saying he should be given a chance to govern and implement reforms.

ICMI acting chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro told reporters that Habibie had been unfairly criticized for the country's economic turmoil, which he said was essentially the legacy of the previous government under president Soeharto.

"Habibie's presidency is legitimate," Achmad said, citing Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution which stipulates that should the president pass away, resign or become incapacitated, he or she would be replaced by the vice president.

"We need to convey this because there are people who are still disputing Habibie's legitimacy," Achmad said at a news conference at his office attended by ICMI leaders Adi Sasono, who is also Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, Nasir Tamara, Parni Hadi and Setyanto P. Santosa.

Habibie, who is technically still chairman of ICMI, assumed the presidency when Soeharto resigned from office on May 21. Habibie was then the vice president.

Achmad called on the public to be fair since Habibie had shown a commitment to reform through a series of decisions in a relatively short period of time.

"He has done a lot of things within three weeks," Achmad said, citing the formation of the Cabinet, the revision of political laws and the release political prisoners as examples.

When asked whether ICMI had taken such a position simply because of its ties to Habibie, Achmad said: "We may be close, but we don't kowtow to the government."

"If he is right, what's wrong with defending him?" he asked.

He said for ICMI, the most important thing was the interest of the country and its people.

Achmad said certain people had been trying to overthrow Habibie, but he declined to identify them.

"What is their basis? Is it because they don't like Habibie personally, or do they think they could do better?" he said.

Achmad appealed to the public to give Habibie and his government a chance, especially given that the new President already had an agenda and a timetable for certain reforms.

He said ICMI fully supported the plan to hold an extraordinary session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in December to set a new date for national elections.

"There should be only one agenda and that is to bring up the general election from 2002 to 1999," Achmad said.

Habibie and House Speaker Harmoko agreed last month to hold an extraordinary session of the MPR at the end of this year or early next year, with the sole aim to set a new poll date.

Former House speaker Wahono said earlier this month that Habibie was not a legitimate president since the new executive lacked a mandate from the Assembly. (byg)