ICMI 'must avoid' Budi Utomo Syndrome

Minister of Information Hartono's decision to join the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) has been seen as part of a bigger political scenario in the making. Political scientist Riswandha Imawan, from the Yogyakarta-based University of Gadjah Mada, addresses the issue.

Question: How do you place the seven-year-old ICMI in today's national political scene?

Answer: Seen from its initial mission of improving human resources, ICMI has been well accepted indeed. It was formed at a time when Islam enjoyed its golden years in global terms. For example, U.S. President Bill Clinton recently made an Idul Fitri speech (a celebration marking the end of the fasting month). No other U.S. president has done so.

Yet, there are two major problems facing ICMI these days. First, as a mass organization, it certainly articulates interests. But this role will never mean anything if it is not linked to a political structure. This has forced it to immerse itself in politics, something a mass organization should not do.

Second, ICMI is comprised of prominent figures. Most of its members were already notable public figures before they joined ICMI. This raises another question: Who is the boss? Everyone thinks he or she is the boss. It is natural for intellectuals to be egoistic, it's their manner.

Q: What's the relevance between the two?

A: People see ICMI as a powerful political vehicle. It is the political weight of ICMI and the internal friction among members that provokes opportunists to join, in an attempt to gain political power.

The friction, so far, has only occurred at the lower level of leadership. But with Hartono's entrance, it will incite higher level political bickering within the organization.

Q: What kind of friction is emerging there?

A: It is a friction between those who would like to see a reduction in ICMI's political weight and those who want things to stay the same. This friction has been going on since December 1995 when ICMI held its national meeting. It was here that Amien Rais, one of the leaders, was appointed the chairman of the experts council.

Q: Which one do you think will dominate?

A: There has been a change lately. In the beginning it was dominated by those who would like to make use of their political sway to achieve ICMI's goal. This is what Amien Rais once described as high politics and low politics.

The latest development, however, shows a reverse in this trend. Now they play politics indirectly and use existing political organizations.

The recent removal of several ICMI senior members (from Golkar's nomination list for the People's Consultative Assembly) illustrates their desire to empower the association without grabbing political positions.

Q: Is it a good development?

A: Yes. It is more suitable for an intellectuals' organization like ICMI. But, ICMI has to be more careful now. Otherwise, it will be trapped by the "Budi Utomo Syndrome".

Q: What do you mean?

A: Budi Utomo was the first organization of Indonesian intellectuals. It has become the symbol of a national resurgence. Its members were young, idealistic intellectuals. In the beginning it was a social religious organization but in the course of time it found that its program was ineffective. The organization decided to let government officials, in this case, heads of regencies (bupati), join.

What happened next was that the regency heads were the ones who made use of the organization (to advance their own careers) and not vice versa.

In this case, I agree with what Amir Santoso (another political scientist) said. Hartono's entrance into ICMI will push other reluctant generals to follow suit. It does make sense even though what Hartono did was purely personal. That's why ICMI has to be careful not to repeat Budi Utomo's mistake. I am very concerned.

Q: What should it do to avoid the syndrome?

A: The most effective way is to maintain its position as a power behind the scenes. It doesn't need public exposure. All it has to do is know how to control politicians from behind.

What has happened to ICMI's senior members like Amien Rais, Dawam Rahardjo and Parni Hadi (whose standing in ICMI were downgraded) are examples of what public expose could lead to. In a political fight, being over exposed to the public may backfire. It won't do any good at all.

That's why it will be better for ICMI to stay behind the scenes. It's much better for it to be an invisible, big organization which has a powerful control over political situations than the opposite.

Q: Is it possible considering there are also many bureaucrats in ICMI's membership?

A: In this case, ICMI members -- especially the intellectuals -- have to avoid holding particular positions. They have to focus their energy on creating concepts that can influence the bureaucrats. Therefore, ICMI has to make itself an enlightening institution for bureaucrats. If ICMI can achieve this ideal it will be achieving the basic aim on which the organization was founded. (swa)