Soeharto supports Hartono's ICMI entry

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told Minister of Information R. Hartono yesterday to play an active role in the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI).

The minister said the President had given his blessing for him to join the association and gave him some advice.

"The President reminded me, as new member, I should play an active role and benefit the organization," Hartono said after meeting with Soeharto at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Hartono expressed last month his intention to join the influential organization. As a cabinet minister, he needed presidential approval before joining the organization.

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

ICMI Secretary-General Adi Sasono said last week he hoped Hartono's presence would help ICMI improve the performance and quality of Indonesia's human resources.

"The President's directive sounds simple, but its significance must be translated into action," Hartono said.

Hartono served as Army chief of staff from 1995 until he retired from military service in June this year. He was then appointed as Minister of Information replacing Harmoko who held the position for 14 years.

Harmoko, who is also chairman of the Golkar faction, was appointed as State Minister of Special Assignments, before beginning a new career in the House of Representatives in October.

Hartono will hold his portfolio until March, when the newly elected president will form a new cabinet.

Hartono denied yesterday that he had a special mission to prevent the organization from being used as a political vehicle by its members.

"I planned to join ICMI, even when I was still Brawijaya military chief in 1990," the retired general said.

Last week Hartono expressed his surprise that his entry into the organization sparked controversy.

"I wonder why my decision to join ICMI is questioned by people," he said after attending a reception held by the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) to welcome him as a new member of MUI's advisory board.

Analysts have tipped him as a front-runner for the vice presidency when the People's Consultative Assembly elects a president and vice president in March.

"What political involvement do you mean? As a patron of ICMI, Pak Harto knows that I was present at the establishment of the organization in Malang," he said when reporters pressed on for more information about his mission to join ICMI. (prb)