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