No sign of ICMI-Golkar friction: Siswono

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar's decision to remove five senior Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) members from the faction's nomination list for the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should not be seen as a sign of friction between the two organizations, Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo said yesterday.

Siswono said the exclusion was "normal" because of Golkar's huge membership which makes it impossible for it to include all.

"Please don't see it from that perspective (that there has been friction)," he said.

"There are only 500 seats in the House of Representatives, and 500 others appointed to MPR. So if someone was excluded, it's only normal," he told reporters after attending a discussion on "Technology Achievement and Creating a Professional Society" organized by the Institute of Indonesian Engineers (PII).

Siswono was commenting on the recent elimination of five prominent ICMI members from a list which the ruling Golkar was to submit as its representatives to MPR.

ICMI Secretary-General Adi Sasono and senior members A. Watik Pratiknya, Jimly Ashidiqie, Muladi and Dawam Rahardjo were the names that were suddenly crossed-out last week.

Founded in Malang, East Java, in 1990, ICMI is currently chaired by State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

Many analysts predicted that ICMI would become a potential political force and possibly provide a vehicle for garnering political support.

The political significance of the group was apparent when Minister of Information R. Hartono decided to apply for membership at ICMI. Observers claim his entry is aimed at bolstering his potential candidacy as the next vice president.

ICMI member Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, who is also a Golkar leader, separately said yesterday that any Moslems' decision to enter the organization should be supported as long as it was intentioned.

"ICMI was established to improve the role of Moslems here. Whether or not the organization fares well depend on the Moslems and its members," she was quoted by Antara as saying.

"Anyone, not only Pak Hartono, can enter ICMI" said Hardiyanti, better known as Tutut, whose election campaign early this year was often given the boost by Hartono's presence.

Cadres

Siswono said that people should not read too much into the deletion of ICMI names and argues that it was a question of limited seats rather than political interests which caused this latest development.

"There are also many excellent Golkar cadres who don't get into the House or the People's Consultative Assembly...those who will sit there will surely be the best. So don't fuss about it," he said.

According to Siswono, who is also a Golkar member, those who were not appointed to the House or MPR can be appointed to other positions that are of equal importance.

"There'll be other organizational assignments that are of no less importance waiting for those who don't get appointed, like positions in (one of Golkar's) social organizations, non- governmental organizations or ministerial positions," he said.

"So don't be hasty in your reactions. Later on they'll have to say Alhamdulilah (Thanks to Allah) when given better positions," he said.

Besides, Siswono said ICMI also has many members in MPR. "What would become of the House and Assembly if all their members were ICMI members?" he said. (aan)