ICMI 'must avoid' Budi Utomo Syndrome

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)