ICMI is not engaged in sectarianism: Minister

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) should not be upset by the numerous allegations that it plays sectarian and primordial politics, its vice chairman says.

Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto used the ICMI annual congress as a platform to deflect accusations that the powerful organization has sacrificed its social service role for a political one.

"Such a view is incorrect," he said while opening the three- day congress in place of ICMI chairman, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

"ICMI should beware (of such accusations) but resolutely maintain its function as an organization of intellectuals," he told the congress participants, including Minister of Health Sujudi and Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, last night.

However, Haryanto also warned the 161 representatives from 36 ICMI branch offices that they should also respect the organization's initial mission by separating their individual and personal activities with those of ICMI.

Haryanto stressed that a display of dedication toward education and other efforts to develop quality human resources would eventually eliminate "incorrect views" which come from both inside and outside the organization.

The minister also reminded the participants that ICMI is expected to become "the glue of the nation" as well as "the moral force of development."

Therefore, he said, ICMI should remain "open, honest, have only good intentions, and be transparent and committed to its missions."

ICMI should build a good relationship with any institution, from the government down to social organizations, he said. Above all, ICMI should contribute to the effort to provide quality manpower for any task in the national development, he added.

"The task of developing human resources... is a strategic issue which requires the attention of the whole nation," he said.

Initiated by some 200 ulemas and established by President Soeharto in 1990 in Malang, East Java, ICMI has grown to become a strong force in the country. It lists cabinet ministers and top ranking officials, as well as leading Moslem personalities, among its members.

Last year, in his capacity as a private citizen, President Soeharto became ICMI's chief patron.

The high profile activities of Habibie and other ICMI members later invited accusations that the organization has been used to further the political interests of certain groups.

Habibie, however, repeatedly said ICMI did not belong to any political grouping and was established only to fight ignorance and poverty among Moslems. (swe)