Scholars and their choices

Scholars and their choices

The chairman of the second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Achmad Sjafii Maarif, has said Muslim scholars must not enter politics and should maintain their independence.

Speaking at the national coordination meeting of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) in Semarang, Central Java, recently, Sjafii warned politics was divisive and could destroy the spirit of brotherhood among the citizens.

Based on that principle, Muhammadiyah -- as an organization -- will not support any presidential candidate, including Amien Rais, the organization's former chairman.

Muhammadiyah will only support candidates who are committed to the reform movement.

The warning by Sjafii is relevant these days, when the main problem for scholars is power, which strongly relates to corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices.

The six-year-old reform movement has yet to stop such practices and to make the rulers of the country responsible and accountable. Indeed, irregularities have tended to spread during the reform movement.

Therefore, the 2004 legislative and presidential elections are likely to be a turning point for the nation to establish public policies for the sake of the people.

Scholars must prove themselves agents of reform. They must not support or become part of the existing power structure.

-- Kompas, Jakarta