ICMI criticizes opposition figures

ICMI criticizes opposition figures

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem
Intellectuals (ICMI), an organization chaired since its inception
by President B.J. Habibie, blasted government critics yesterday,
saying much of their criticism was unproductive and a waste of
time.

ICMI officials also lambasted what they described as
"overblown" reports of mass rapes, arguing that such claims may
have been spread to undermine the government.

ICMI acting chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro told a media
conference that the recent establishment of opposition groups,
such as the National Front and the Indonesian Movement for
Justice and Unity (GKPB), were unproductive in nature.

"My friends and I here want all of us to think constructively.
If they don't agree with something, they should not only
criticize but should also provide alternatives," said Achmad, who
was accompanied by ICMI executives Parni Hadi, Nasir Tamara and
Setyanto P. Santosa.

Also present was ICMI deputy secretary-general Jimly
Asshidique, who had been awarded a Mahaputra medal from Habibie
earlier in the morning.

Achmad said such opposition groups had a right to express
their opinion, but argued that their criticism was only aimed at
"bringing down Habibie's administration".

The National Front was formed last week by a group of retired
generals and former officials led by Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kemal Idris,
while the GKPB was launched yesterday by former minister of
environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and former minister of
transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo.

Achmad criticized those who were still arguing against
Habibie's legitimacy as president, saying his ascendancy was
fully in line with Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution.

Habibie was sworn in as president when Soeharto resigned from
office on May 21.

Soeharto stepped down amid fervent discontent of his
leadership during the economic crisis and in the wake of
devastating riots which left at least 1,200 dead and thousands of
buildings burned or looted.

Alarming reports of mass rapes during the unrest in which
Chinese-Indonesians were a featured target have cropped up.

Achmad charged that reports of wide-scale sexual assaults
during the May riots in Jakarta and other cities were overblown
since officials had yet to receive any factual evidence of such
incidents.

"We sense that this is only a political maneuver," he said.

"The reports are very disturbing and we are considering
meeting with the groups who are blowing this out of proportion,"
he added without saying which groups he meant.

The National Commission on Human Rights has asserted that
rapes and sexual assaults were committed systematically by an
unidentified group of people during the riots.

Activists from The Volunteers for Humanity said last month
that at least 168 women had been victims of rape and sexual
assault in Jakarta and other cities.

"The reports (of rape) have been used as a political tool so
that there are now rallies (protesting the atrocities)
everywhere.

"We will invite the groups at some point and frankly ask them
who is bringing down the economy and secondly, on what basis they
have to blow this (the rape cases) out of proportion without any
evidence," Achmad remarked.

There have been continuous demonstrations abroad, particularly
in Singapore, China and Taiwan, condemning the rapes and
Jakarta's poor reaction to them.

The government recently formed a joint team comprised of
government officials and activists to investigate the rapes, but
doubts remain, even among one member of the team, over whether it
can truly uncover the truth behind the alleged incidents. (byg)