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