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)