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)