Expert says few local scientists register inventions

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.