'Soeharto will heed public's wish on ICMI chairmanship'

'Soeharto will heed public's wish on ICMI chairmanship'

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the influential Association of
Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) B.J. Habibie expressed
confidence that President Soeharto would respect the public's
wish regarding the organization's chairmanship.

Habibie told a horde of reporters that Soeharto, as a
statesman, "would heed" the aspirations of the people.

"(President Soeharto) is a wise national leader, who listens
to the people's wishes," he said after opening an exhibition of
books on Islam and technology. "Let's just wait."

"(President Soeharto) is a national, an international, as well
as Moslem leader. He is a statesman, a thinker, and he's proven
all this during his New Order administration," Habibie insisted.
"I'm sure he will listen to what the people want."

President Soeharto will open the organization's second
national congress on Thursday. The leaders of its 400 units and
branches will discuss economic and political matters at the
congress. The congress will also elect a new executive board for
the 1995 to 2000 period.

Habibie, who is also State Minister for Research and
Technology, is expected to maintain the leadership of the
association. Sources said the congress will likely vote him in
unanimously, and that the other elections will only select the
other members of the board.

Potential leaders

The growing support for Habibie has not, however, prevented a
number of other men from emerging as potential leaders.

Among them are former minister of environment and economist
Emil Salim, international relations expert Amien Rais, Jakarta
branch chairman Ahmad Tirtosudiro, and director of ICMI's think
tank, Adi Sasono.

Habibie declined to predict his chances of winning at the
congress. "I'll comply with whatever the congress decides. I have
no wish to influence the proceedings of the congress," he said.

However, he said, "I need to stress that everything that
happens in the congress has been studied by the over 400 units of
the association."

All the problems to be tackled during the congress were
prepared by the units before being processed further by the 26
regional branches, he said.

"They prepared the materials at the regional meeting, not only
regarding the mechanism (of elections), but also their
nominations (of leaders): which of them are considered wise and
naturals at leading the organization for the next five years," he
said.

"Everything has been worked on. Don't disturb the process," he
warned.

Habibie's only comment on Emil Salim's nomination was "It's
good. Pak Emil is a national figure and he has done a lot. I
believe his dedication toward this nation and Moslems is beyond
doubt," Habibie said.

Habibie, once dubbed "super minister" for his numerous state
and private positions, denied that ICMI was able to grow strong
because of his influence.

"Habibie is only one among many," he said. "Human beings are
mortal, one day they will be summoned back (by God). ICMI is not
only me."

ICMI has progressed because of well-laid systems, he said. It
should not depend on only one person, he added.

"Organizations which are modern and managed rationally depend
on everybody involved. There's a collective leadership," he said.

A number of observers, including ICMI leader Ali Yafie, have
called for a revamp in the structure of the ICMI leadership.
Yafie said in Yogyakarta on Saturday that it is possible the
congress will examine the question and bring about some changes.
(swe/imn)