Get the know-how, not just the factories: Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto urged Indonesians yesterday to acquire technological know-how, arguing that building factories alone would not be enough to secure the country's survival in the era of technology.

Soeharto noted that it would be very difficult for Indonesian industry to succeed if factories were built but management and technology were not understood.

"Preparation is needed to make the Indonesian people ready for industrialization. Without such preparation, it would be difficult to achieve this goal," Soeharto said.

Speaking at the commemoration of National Technology Day at the State Palace, the President hinted of the need for comprehensive preparation to transform the country into an industrial society.

"Without sufficient know-how, we will remain dependent on foreign countries," Soeharto said.

He added that preparing the nation to become more science- oriented was closely related to education. "Thus we must strengthen our science program to produce scientists of high quality who are also devoted to the country."

The government declared Aug. 10 as awakening day of national technology in conjunction with the 1995 maiden flight of the N- 250 aircraft -- the first fully domestically designed and built plane.

Soeharto claimed the nation was very proud of this achievement.

"Our success in developing and applying hi-tech in the aviation industry is very encouraging for all of us," Soeharto remarked.

State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie in his report to the President said National Technology Day was aimed at boosting people's self-confidence in mastering sophisticated technology.

"This year's commemoration has became a nationwide movement, because all layers of society, whether from the government, the private sector or just ordinary people, all are actively involved," Habibie claimed.

Yesterday's ceremony was also attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno, Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S., Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto and Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya.

In the ceremony, President Soeharto also presented the Kalyanakretya award to three researchers and inventors.

The recipients were Theodora Retno Maruti for arts and cultural technology, Mohamad Sahari Besari for engineering, construction and waterworks, and Yusufhadi Miarso for educational technology.

PT Freyssinet Total Technology won the Siddhakretya award for its consistent support of the use of advanced concrete technology, invented by the Bandung Institute of Technology.

Soeharto also opened the three-day coordinating meeting of national research and technology, and the plenary session of the National Research Council.

"I hope this meeting will formulate our national policy and programs to boost our technological content in the national industry," he said.

The President expressed hope that the council could provide input to the government for forming policies and programs that would help improve the technological capabilities of the country's industries. (prb)