'ICMI not a political corridor'

'ICMI not a political corridor'

JAKARTA (JP): Questions about the role of the Association of
Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) lingered on Saturday as
experts discussed the organization's development during the five
years since its foundation.

At a seminar held in preparation for the organization's second
national conference in December, ICMI executives defended the
group's existence while conceding that there are misperceptions
about its objectives.

"Let's never get weary of explaining to the public that the
ICMI is not, and will not think of becoming, a political
corridor, or even of acting as if it were a political
organization," said Minister of Transportation Haryanto
Dhanutirto, a leading member of the ICMI.

Founded on Dec. 7, 1990, the ICMI is now headed by State
Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

It boasts an impressive list of political figures in its
advisory and executive boards, including Coordinating Minister
for People's Welfare Azwar Anas, Minister of Information Harmoko,
Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance Saleh Afiff and
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher.

Due its close affiliation with the political and business
elite, the ICMI is often perceived as a vehicle to mobilize
political support and gain other advantages.

Collusion

Political scientist Amir Santoso told the seminar that
allegations of such collusion are not entirely unfounded.

"It has to be candidly admitted that there are those who have
acquired positions in the bureaucracy through their affiliations
in the ICMI," said the professor from the University of
Indonesia.

He added, however, that such cases are few in number and that
the positions so acquired have been only middle-level rather than
high-level.

"There are a few ministers who were rumored to have been
appointed because of their connections with the ICMI, but there
are also those who say their appointment as ministers was due,
not to the ICMI, but to their long service to Habibie," Amir
said.

He said the perceived relationship between the ICMI and the
government often creates discomfort among non-Moslems. The ICMI
must work hard to allay those suspicions, he added.

"There needs to be an attitude which demonstrates that the
ICMI is not a threat; (not a force) which kills minority groups,
but it is a fair competitor in the political arena," he said.

Political

Although the ICMI does not describe itself as a political
organization, Dawam Rahardjo, a member of the organization's
council of experts, noted that one of its missions is political,
social and economic integration.

"Integration between the Islamic congregation and the state is
a good foundation for the democratization process," said Dawam,
who is also director postgraduate studies at Muhammadiyah
University in Malang, East Java.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, lecturer in government studies at the
University of Indonesia, maintained that when the ICMI was formed
it was hoped that it could bring about social-political change.

"But hopes that the ICMI would make an important contribution
in developing political ethics, something quite putrid in our
society, have not been realized," Yusril said.

He said that the very closeness of the ICMI to political power
restricts its ability to avoid the personal and opportunistic
interests of certain groups and individuals.

"A criticism which should be pondered is, thus, how far the
ICMI can contribute to the process of the democratization of the
nation," Yusril said.

Amir Santoso said that at the time of the ICMI's establishment
many of its leaders had been noted campaigners for greater
democracy. He added that this was no longer perceived to be the
case. (mds)