'Scientists have a say in politics'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Should the various associations of scientists in
\nIndonesia be allowed to comment on politics or on the way the
\ncountry is being run? The answer, according to leading
\nphilosopher Franz Magnis Suseno, is a conditional yes.<\/p>\n
Like any citizen, scientists in the country have a right to
\nexpress their opinion on politics and affairs of the state and
\ntherefore their professional associations should also be
\npermitted to make political statements when they see fit, Magnis
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The German-born philosopher added, however, that a line must
\nstill be drawn.<\/p>\n
"Certainly it doesn't make sense if an organization of experts
\non four-legged animals issues a statement on social conditions,"
\nhe told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"An organization of scientists in a specific branch of
\nsciences should not make a statement on the general political
\ncondition," he said. "Organizations of professionals which are
\nmore open in nature, such as organizations of intellectuals, can
\nissue statements on political situations."<\/p>\n
The question of scientists making political statements was
\nraised this month by Parangtopo, the chairman of the Indonesian
\nAssociation of Physicists.<\/p>\n
Parangtopo criticized some scientists' organizations for
\ndevoting too much of their time and resources to political
\nmatters, instead of doing more "real work" in accordance with
\ntheir professions.<\/p>\n
Wrong<\/p>\n
Magnis said he did not see anything wrong with organizations
\nof intellectuals that are open to all branches of science making
\npolitical statements. He cited the case of the powerful
\nAssociation of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) as an
\nexample.<\/p>\n
Such organizations however should not make "narrow statements"
\nby declaring their support for certain political groups, he said.<\/p>\n
The uniqueness of an organization of intellectuals, he said,
\nlies in the fact that the members should have "intellectual
\nopenness" and that its members come from different scientific
\nbackgrounds.<\/p>\n
"So it's just natural if the members wish to express their
\nconcern or make statements regarding the running of the country."<\/p>\n
Soefjan Tsauri, the chairman of the Indonesian Institute of
\nSciences, also defended their right to make political statements.<\/p>\n
If these organizations make statements, they should be seen as
\na reflection of their concern for the country, Soefjan was quoted
\nby the Antara news agency as saying.<\/p>\n
"As citizens anybody may issue political statements as a
\nmanifestation of their concern for their nation and their
\ncountry," he said.<\/p>\n
It is reasonable for the Association of Indonesian Economists
\n(ISEI), for instance, to issue political statements in relation
\nto their scientific discipline. "It's okay for them to..speak
\nabout foreign debt," Soefjan said.<\/p>\n
"What's important...is not who speaks, but the content of
\ntheir political statements," Soefjan said.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Communication Forum for Scientific
\nProfessional Organizations Kartono Mohamad agreed that
\norganizations like ISEI are justified in making political
\nstatements.<\/p>\n
At the same time, he agreed with Parangtopo that the
\nperformance of the country's scientific organizations is still
\nbelow par because of various constraints, including shortages of
\nfunding. "It's like they're dying, " said Kartono. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/scientists-have-a-say-in-politics-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}