'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)