Youths miss Hayono, Amien

Youths miss Hayono, Amien

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Muhammadiyah Moslem Students began their
four-day congress yesterday without scheduled guest speakers
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman and
Muhammadiyah chairman Amien Rais.

The organization's chairman, Syahril Syah, and secretary-
general, Abdul Rohom Ghozali, issued a statement expressing
regret over Hayono's failure to show up or send a stand-in. They
did not protest about Amien, who is currently in the news over
his resignation from the politically well-connected Association
of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals.

Close to tears, Syahril told the 504 participants from across
the country that they should be strong and patient in the absence
of their leader. "There's nothing wrong with this congress. Allah
is with us all," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Amien had previously said he would attend the ninth congress.

"This is the first time the Muhammadiyah Moslem Students
congress has been opened without the presence of one of
Muhammadiyah's leaders," Syahril said. (swe)