No sign of ICMI-Golkar friction: Siswono

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)