No individual interests behind ICMI: Habibie
No individual interests behind ICMI: Habibie
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the powerful Association of Indonesian Intellectuals (ICMI) B.J. Habibie reiterated last night that the organization serves the interest of the whole nation, not just to nurture the ambition of its members.
Habibie said at the opening of ICMI's fourth national working meeting that ICMI could channel the aspirations of any individuals or groups.
"ICMI was established for the interest of the Moslem people, which is also identical with the national interest," said Habibie, who is also the state minister for research and technology.
He added that ICMI was based on the state ideology Pancasila, which has the spirit of Islam, and the 1945 Constitution.
Clearly, ICMI was for all Indonesian people, Habibie said. It must not become an exclusive organization and should work together with non-Moslem organizations. ICMI and the Organization of Christian Intellectuals (PIKI), for instance, have earlier made a joint statement on how to strengthen the "cultural resilience" of the nation, according to Habibie.
Habibie also denied that ICMI was established to modernize Islam. "Islam itself is modern all the time," he said.
People should try to seek the truth in accordance with Koran and it was through science and technology that people could get close to the nature and Allah, Habibie said.
The annual three-day workshop is attended by 453 participants, including 13 from the organization's foreign chapters. The meeting is to identify the challenges, problems, alternatives and chances of the development, as well as to get inputs for ICMI's second national congress, scheduled to take place on Dec.7 this year.
Among ICMI top executives attending yesterday's opening ceremony were former State Minister for Population and Environment Emil Salim, businessman Fadel Muhamad, and prominent scholar Sutjipto Wirosardjono.
Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro and former Minister of Religious Affairs Alamsyah Prawiranegara were also present.
Armed Forces Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Finance Ma'rie Muhammad and Minister of National Development Planning/Chairman of National Development Planning Board Ginandjar Kartasasmita are scheduled to address the meeting today.(sim)