REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Boediono has asked the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) to pass on all the good experiences of the New Order to the reformation era in order to establish a balance in democracy.

"We cannot deny that during the New Order, Indonesia was recognized as a leading developing country in Asia, as per several standards with regard to economic growth that had reached seven percent, and infrastructure," pointed out VP Boediono, during the opening ceremony of ICMI National Conference at Jakarta Convention Center, here on Friday.

Boediono stated that in the reformation era, Indonesia though recognized as a fully democratic country, has not had optimum developmental progress.

"This is because we are still seeking out an ideal model to run the government, which perhaps has not yet been established. At the moment, we are more focused on short-term issues," Boediono explained.

Therefore, Boediono asked the Muslim intellectuals in ICMI to find a balance in ruling the country to achieve optimum development without violating democratic values.

Boediono emphasized that the significant role of the ICMI in the development of Indonesia's democracy is that of a think-tank that can offer inputs to the government.

"We have already chosen the route to democracy. The question is can we find the good things during the New Order that can be put to use in the current conditions without violating democratic values," he asked.

The ICMI National Conference 2013 projects "Indonesian New Economic Movement: Access Mobilization for People Prosperity" as the tagline and aims to empower small and medium enterprises through the Indonesian Halal Business and Food exhibition held on December 20-21, 2013.

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