ICMI not to be Involved in Practical Politics

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) will not involve itself in practical politics, but will encourage the development of a respectable political process in the country, its Presidium chairman, Priyo Budi Santoso, said. "I guarantee that ICMI will not be involved in practical politics, but will encourage the development of noble politics," Priyo said at a national ICMI gathering here on Saturday. Priyo, who is also the deputy House speaker, said he guaranteed that ICMI will ask all groups in the country to develop respectable politics. Facing a political year in 2014, in which the nation will have a legislative and a presidential election, ICMI is resolved to maintain its convictions about the noble values of politics. "We will sow noble values to the people, so they will continue to abide by to the law," he said. He noted that the Indonesian people should never abandon their noble traditions, such as brotherhood, solidarity and mutual help. Priyo said people involved in the country's politics often are combative, and this should change. "Now, people should be saved from the current political conditions, where they often criticize each other," he said. He added that ICMI will formulate a kind of state policy guideline (GBHN) as a contribution to providing directions for development. The Deputy House Speaker said that the nation is operating as if not being directed, though he said the people needed an 'umbrella' to carry out development. Held at the Jakarta Convention Center on December 20 -21, 2013, the ICMI national work gathering was attended by about 300 members from across the country. (*)