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)