Government assures LIPI's independence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government assured the Indonesian Institute
\nof Sciences (LIPI) on Friday that it will enjoy complete
\nindependence in carrying out its mission because freedom is a
\npillar of creativity.<\/p>\n
\"The government will no longer interfere in LIPI's internal
\naffairs,\" acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan said after
\nswearing in historian Taufik Abdullah as the institute's new
\nchief to replace Soefjan Tsauri.<\/p>\n
\"LIPI will be able to work independently and professionally in
\nline with scientific demands and norms. Without them, scientists
\nand researchers will loose imagination and creativity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Under Taufik's leadership, LIPI must strive to be more
\ncreative and productive, Bondan said.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure the government is not wrong entrusting him to lead
\nthe institute. His meritorious service and reputation is beyond
\nquestion. Under his leadership, LIPI will become more famous and
\nproductive for the nation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia lags behind Europe and its Asian neighbors in the
\ndevelopment of science and related applications,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Taufik, whose previous position was a LIPI senior researcher,
\nwas estranged from the profession at one time because of his
\nvocal criticisms of then president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"We should not look back,\" Taufik said when asked about his
\ntreatment by the past government. \"LIPI will keep in mind the
\ngovernment's promise of independence in carrying out its
\nscientific mission,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He was one of the first public figures to criticize President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid's plan to lift a 34-year ban against the
\nteachings of communism and Marxism-Leninism.<\/p>\n
LIPI will revive research activities in humanitarian studies
\nwhich have been neglected in the last 30 years, said Taufik, who
\nbecame the first chairman with a social science background.<\/p>\n
\"LIPI will also function as an agent of development in the
\nsocial, political and economic fields,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Taufik said that to reduce dependence on state finances, LIPI
\nwould forge more cooperation with end users of its research
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
LIPI currently employs more than 1,000 scientists and
\nresearchers.<\/p>\n
Former LIPI chief Samaun Samadikun said he hoped the institute
\nwould return to its original mission of developing sciences and
\ntechnology for the nation's benefit.<\/p>\n
Dewi Fortuna Anwar, a political expert at the institute, said
\none of Taufik's main tasks is to repair LIPI's public image.<\/p>\n
The government should stop recruiting LIPI's scientists and
\nresearchers into the administration and allow the institute to
\nturn itself into a center of excellence, Dewi said.<\/p>\n
A number of LIPI staffers have joined the administration or
\nchosen political careers in recent years. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-assures-lipis-independence-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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