Expert says few local scientists register inventions

Sari P. Setiogi, Jakarta

Only three percent of 30,000 patented intellectual property rights in the country have been registered by Indonesian inventors, while all the rest being registered by foreigners, a scientist says.

"And most of this three percent was made up of basic, simple patents," head of the Design Engineering Advocacy (LBT) organization, Prasetyo Sunaryo, said on Monday.

"Those registered account for only 25 percent of what the figure actually should be," said Timmy Trihartama from the Association of Law Graduates in the Indonesian Oil, Gas and Energy Sectors.

The LBT is a non-governmental organization whose members include scientists from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan).

Both Prasetyo and Timmy agreed that scientists' reluctance to register inventions was due to the government's indifference to the development of science and technology.

"The government now categorizes science and technology only as part of culture. In fact, if they (the government) categorized it as part of the economy, it would raise public welfare," Prasetyo said.

Inventions can be registered with the Patent Office, a part of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

However, some universities are now offering assistance to scientists who wish to register their inventions.

"Scientists can go to the ITB or UGM to register their inventions," said Prasetyo, referring to the Bandung Institute of Technology and Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.

He also criticized the government's lack of appreciation of science and technology as reflected in the low salaries paid to scientists.

"Here, a scientist receives a monthly salary of about Rp 2.5 million (US$260) only, while in Singapore the same scientist could get Rp 250 million, and Rp 100 million in Brunei," said Prasetyo.

Agroindustry expert from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) Muhammad Said Didu, meanwhile, admitted that many Indonesian scientists have opted to work overseas out of financial considerations.

"It is very human that many Indonesian scientists prefer to work abroad but the government should take note that skilled labor will be the magnet that draws investors in the future," he said.

Prasetyo said the fact that Indonesia was still importing about 75 percent of its raw materials and capital goods showed that the country lacked technology.

Alluding to the upcoming presidential election, the scientists agreed that none of the five presidential candidates had a vision for the development of science and technology.

"They all think it (science and technology) is something that only merits a low priority in their manifestos. We all know, however, that science and technology are long-term investments, and may not produce results within five years. However, it is very important," said Didu.

Five years is the length of the presidential term in this country.

The scientists urged the next president to manage science and technology planning and budgeting well, and to encourage Indonesian scientists working abroad to come home.

"If Indonesian scientists abroad are offered monthly salaries of Rp 10 million, they will be willing to work here," said Didu.