ICMI calls for end to attacks on Habibie

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)