ICMI is not engaged in sectarianism: Minister

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)