ICMI power links questioned

ICMI power links questioned

JAKARTA (JP): The independence of the influential Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) has been called into question following the announcement of its new executive board.

Political observer Arbi Sanit of the University of Indonesia, who is not an ICMI member, and legislator A.M. Saefuddin, who is a leading ICMI member, expressed apprehension over ICMI's links to the administration.

Dr. Ahmad Totonji, a Moslem leader from the United States, disagreed, saying ICMI is needed if Indonesian Moslems are to take center stage after years of being "marginalized".

Arbi told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the strong presence of Golkar members on ICMI's new executive board could mean an even greater involvement of the organization in national politics.

"ICMI could become (Golkar) machinery for political mobilization among Moslems," Arbi said.

Ardi said he believed some sort of bargain may have been struck between Golkar and ICMI. "ICMI may act as machinery to mobilize support for Golkar in exchange for greater political access," he said.

"It's like ICMI has been coopted by Golkar," he said, acknowledging ICMI has been closely linked to the power holders since its inception five years ago. Some members ICMI's board of patrons are also patrons of Golkar.

The organization concluded its second congress on Saturday. It re-elected as chairman B.J. Habibie, who is also State Minister of Research and Technology as well as a member of Golkar's board of patrons. It also elected former student activist Adi Sasono as secretary of the 1995-2000 executive board, which Arbi said could be seen as an effort to "distribute power between bureaucrats and civilians".

Arbi said another factor which could lead to ICMI's increased involvement in politics was the fact that Adi, compared to a number of other activists in the organization, was the most "politically inclined".

"There are members who are just intellectuals, and those who are politically inclined, and Adi represents the second group," he said.

A different perspective was given by Totonji, who is director of the International Institute of Islamic Thoughts in Virginia, the United States. He said it is about time Moslems, which make up 88 percent of the population of 190 million, and their organizations were given more attention from the power holders, after years of standing on the sidelines.

"ICMI deserves this kind of importance from the top leaders, as well as other responsible people in the country," Totonji, who is here to observe the ICMI congress, told the Post. "It should indeed be the role of ICMI to bring the full involvement of Moslem intellectuals.

In many parts of the world, he said, "Moslems are very much marginalized. Now they have the opportunity to prove that they can do much."

Totonji is a frequent visitor here and has been studying Moslems in Indonesia for more than 25 years.

As for the frequent criticism that ICMI has become too close to the power holders and that it risks becoming a mere political tool, Totonji said the complaint is a reflection of some dissatisfied groups in society.

"There's bound to always be certain groups in society who are dissatisfied," he said. "Let's not overemphasize this concern."

Saefuddin, a critic of Habibie's re-election, called on all members of the organization to choose someone who is not a bureaucrat or a minister to chair the 2000-2005 executive board.

"If it fails to do so, the public will see it as a mere pro- establishment organization, one which will not be able to attract the dynamic groups in society such as students, the young people and the people in the lower classes," he said.

"ICMI will also continue to be dependent on figures such as Habibie," Saefuddin said.

"And people will still see ICMI as identical with Habibie," he said.

Saefuddin himself, despite his forthright criticism, was elected to the board of experts. "This proves that Habibie is a true democrat, he names me to the board despite differences of opinion between us," he said. "I respect him and will be loyal to the congress decision, though it doesn't mean I will agree with everything (Habibie decides)."

Emil Salim, former minister of environment and member of the new advisory board, expressed a sentiment similar to Totonji's. He pointed out the futility of viewing ICMI as a power play.

Instead, he said, there will be a balance in each role the new board plays. (wpr/swe)

Adi Sasono -- Page 2