Gus Dur changes the name of IPTN to PT Dirgantara Indonesia
Gus Dur changes the name of IPTN to PT Dirgantara Indonesia
BANDUNG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid officially changed
the Bandung-based aircraft company's name on Thursday from
Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) to PT Dirgantara
Indonesia in commemoration of its 14th anniversary.
The President did not explain the background of the change in
the name of the aircraft company officially opened in 1976 by
former president Soeharto.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Sinta Nuriyah
Wahid, and some Cabinet members -- Minister of Industry and Trade
Luhut. B. Panjaitan, the new Coordinating Minister for Economy
Rizal Ramli, and Minister of Research and Technology AS Hikam.
Spain's Ambassador to Indonesia Antonio Segura Moris was also
present.
During the New Order era, under the auspice of former minister
of research and technology B.J. Habibie, IPTN was considered a
milestone in the development of the country's technology sector.
In his address, President Abdurrahman asked the aircraft
industry to improve its management, the key to the company's
future.
"In the past we were too keen on technology. We thought
technology was beyond everything. Later, it was proven that
without good management technology would not work well."
He cited as an example the success of U.S.-based General
Motors, which was led by an accountant.
"I am very happy that IPTN survives and has been able to
overcome all the hurdles it faced in the past," he said, adding
that industry would always play significant roles in dealing with
unemployment. "Therefore, industry must be able to catch
international market demand and fulfill domestic market
(requirements)."
It was the second name change for the aircraft company
pioneered in 1976 by Nurtanio, an Indonesian Air Force vice
marshal.
Nurtanio was recorded as the first Indonesian who had the
skill 'to make' aircraft. And IPTN stood for Industri Pesawat
Terbang Nurtanio after his name.
In 1986, Soeharto changed Nurtanio to Nusantara, which means
the Indonesian archipelago. And IPTN then stood for Industri
Pesawat Terbang Nusantara. The change was aimed at "widening of
the nation's horizons".
At that time Habibie, the third Indonesian president, was
considered the number one person in technology in the country and
became one of President Soeharto's trusted aides.
Since then, anything relating to IPTN has been linked to
Habibie.
Soon after its opening, IPTN produced the CN-212 Aviocar under
the license of the Spanish Construction Aeronaurticas S.A., and
the NBO-105, licensed by West Germany's Messerschmitt Bolkow-
Blohm.
The 'well-reputed' IPTN then signed a deal with the French
Aerospatiale to produce Puma AS-332 helicopters, and in 1979 CASA
trusted IPTN to produce a medium-class passenger plane, later
named CN-235.
Recently, the company has been rocked by financial problems
and massive layoffs have been made by the company.
Minister Luhut expressed his optimism that PT Dirgantara
Indonesia had a bright future. "Within the next 20 years the
company will have exported aircraft or aircraft components worth
around US$72 million."
The company's acting president, S. Paramajuda, said in his
report to the President that the company's restructuring was
proceeding.
"We will enhance our business relationships with international
companies, including CASA," he said. (25/sur)