Islamic students association told to remain outspoken

Islamic students association told to remain outspoken

SURABAYA (JP): The Association of Islamic Students (HMI) must
maintain its critical attitude toward those in power, an activist
said here yesterday.

Chairman of East Java's HMI branch, Muhammad Nabil, said the
organization needed to stand up to the people in power who have a
monopoly on how state ideology Pancasila should be translated
into daily life. This monopoly harmed the democratization
process, Nabil said.

He was speaking in advance of the 21st HMI congress which will
be in Yogyakarta from Aug. 20 to Aug. 26.

The main agenda of the congress is to discuss two strategic
problems, namely the evolving role of student movements in
society, and "one group's monopoly on the interpretation of
Pancasila".

HMI has not pointed the finger at anyone in particular, but
critics have often complained that the government does all the
interpretation on Pancasila, treats it as the gospel truth, and
rejects other interpretations.

"The government's monopoly of interpretation (has led to) a
narrowing... of people's freedom, and the power holders behave
as if they are the sole legitimate executors of values contained
in Pancasila," Nabil said.

HMI is the oldest and biggest student organization here. It
was established in Yogyakarta in 1947.

At one stage of its history it was a strong sociopolitical
force, and it helped topple the Old Order administration in the
1960s. Former HMI leaders are Lafran Pane, Mintaredja, Achmad
Tirtosudiro and Deliar Noer.

For the past several years, however, HMI has been frequently
criticized for allegedly cozying up to the power holders, and for
becoming less critical on sociopolitical issues.

Nabil did not deny the organization was close to those in
power, but said he hoped HMI would continue to be an Islamic
social control organization.

"Islam upholds the principle of amar ma'ruf nahyi munkar
(persuading people to do good and preventing them from
infringements). HMI needs to remain critical on all social
issues," he said.

He dismissed speculations that the organization tended to
defend former members who were now in strategic bureaucratic
positions.

"We exchange views with anyone, but HMI cannot be dictated to
by anyone, not even by former members who are now in the
administration," he said.

HMI has loosely allied itself with other social and youth
organizations noted for criticizing the government in an
alignment known as the "Cipayung Group". But the group is
rumored to have been fractured following HMI's decision not to
join the rest of the group's declaration on the bloody riot in
Jakarta on July 27 last year.

"In general, HMI remains committed to the group. But in some
cases, HMI has its own (line of thinking)," he said.

The congress will also elect a new chairman. Four names have
been cited as likely replacements for the current HMI chairman,
Taufik Hidayat.

They are current deputy chairmen Anas Urbaningrum, Umar Husein
and Viva Yoga Maulad, and secretary-general Muzakir Ridha.
(nur/swe)