ICMI plus PIKI plus ICKI plus

ICMI plus PIKI plus ICKI plus

ISKA plus FCHI equals ICI

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat
wants to put an end to the proliferation of four-letter
abbreviations denoting associations of intellectuals by the
foundation of one three-letter group -- ICI, which stands for the
Indonesian Intellectual Organizations.

Edi told reporters on Tuesday that it would be a very good
idea if all the existing organizations unite themselves into a
single organization. "It will be very good. Especially if
everybody agrees and supports it," he said as quoted by Kompas.

Edi suggested the umbrella for intellectuals after attending
the 29th anniversary of the National Defense Institute.

There has been a growing concern in recent weeks about the
rise of new associations of intellectuals, which are seen chiefly
as counters to the growing political strength of the ICMI, the
Association of Moslem Intellectuals led by State Minister of
Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

Besides ICMI, there are PIKI (Christian) ISKA (Catholics) and
FCHI (Hindu). Two newcomers are ICKI (nationalist) and FA-GMNI,
an association of alumni of the Nationalist Students' Movement.

The proliferation of these groups has prompted politicians to
call to bring them under one umbrella.

The House of Representatives (DPR) has warned that the
establishment of intellectual associations and their activities
spreads confusion among the public, especially now that they seem
to be stepping into politics.

The House said that by bringing the intellectuals into one
group, their potential could be directed and combined toward
developing the country without conflicts of interest.

Edi's suggestion comes in the wake of the establishment of
ICKI, whose birth was initiated by former Minister of Religious
Affairs Alamsyah Ratu Perwiranegara.

The birth of the organization was initially planned to take
place on May 20, the National Awakening Day, but postponed
because it has not finished writing its constitution.

Meanwhile, ICMI, which is so far the biggest and politically
the most influential of all the intellectual organizations, has
been accused of indulging in politics.

The power of ICMI has been such that its chairman, state
minister of research and technology B.J Habibie, has been tipped
as one of the strongest contenders to replace President Soeharto
when he steps down in 1998.

Edi, who has thrown his support behind ICI, said he personally
sees nothing wrong with the new organization because it aims at
building nationalism.

He likened ICI to the Indonesian Journalists Association
(PWI), which is the sole organization representing the country's
reporters.

When asked if the intellectual organizations were treading
into politics, Edi diplomatically responded to the question. "You
all know that. I don't have to answer that," he said.

Edi also rejected allegations that the birth of ICKI was
initiated by the Armed Forces (ABRI). "That's not true!".

Meanwhile, ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen Syarwan Hamid said the
Armed Forces does not see any political play by ICMI. "It's true
that certain individuals are involved in politics. But it's just
like someone who has many roles," he said, adding that ICMI was
still in the right track.

Commenting on the criticism, Habibie said that ICMI members
who were involved in politics were not representing the
organization, but rather on an individual basis because they were
members of political parties such as Golkar, PDI (Indonesian
Democratic Party) and PPP (United Development Party).

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. said that ICMI
should not indulge in politics. (par)