ICMI to avoid debate on president, VP

ICMI to avoid debate on president, VP

JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 members of the influential
Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) will gather
in Bogor, West Java for an annual congress this week, but they
will shun discourse on presidential and vice presidential
candidates.

ICMI Secretary-General Adi Sasono told a press conference on
the eve of the congress yesterday the meeting would instead focus
on more substantial matters, which include social, economic and
political reforms that contribute to democratization and the rule
of law.

Results of the congress will be submitted to the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR), whose first stage of its general
session is underway, according to Adi.

"We are not running a political organization and we come from
various backgrounds, so how can we agree on the candidates?

"Of course, there will be debate on the issue of succession of
the national leadership because a lot of intellectuals are
gathering, but we won't issue a formal stance on it," Adi said.

Adi said the discourse on presidential and vice presidential
candidates was not ICMI's business, because it did not have the
competency to talk about it.

"We'd rather discuss how to build a democratic political
system, political openness and a transparent and fair economic
system, regardless of the people who will carry out the job," he
said.

The 1,000-strong Assembly will regroup next March to endorse
the State Policy Guidelines and elect a president and vice
president.

ICMI chairman B.J. Habibie, who is also Minister of Research
and Technology, is scheduled to open the congress today. The
congress will conclude Thursday. (amd)