High-tech takes a backseat in crisis, Habibie says
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie, long an ardent advocate of the importance of high technology for the nation, has cited procurement of daily necessities as his administration's top priority during the economic crisis.
The President described on Monday how national unity and cohesion would be imperiled if the government failed to provide basic commodities for the public, especially the poor.
"In such a difficult situation, we must choose what's to be prioritized... and what can be postponed," the President said at the opening of the third international symposium on sophisticated science and technology and aerospace.
The President said the government was originally scheduled to organize the symposium concurrently with the Asia Pacific Hi-Tech and Air Show this year, but decided to cancel the latter due to the crisis.
"We do not need to feel discouraged by that, (and) we must maintain our idealism and far-reaching vision, but we must also be realistic in facing our current situation," the President told the 300 symposium participants.
The four-day meeting is being organized by the office of the State Minister of Research and Technology and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).
The first symposium was held in 1986, when the state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN, then led by Habibie, launched the 40-seat CN-235 commuter aircraft.
Ten years later, Habibie hosted the second symposium in Jakarta, where he introduced the 70-seat turboprop N-250 aircraft.
"In this symposium, we are introducing hunger and poverty," a palace official said bitterly yesterday.
Habibie was often described as a big spender and technology czar for his promotion of megaprojects during 20 years as state research and technology minister. The term ended in March when he was appointed vice president before taking over from Soeharto as president in May.
Economists and even international agencies often criticized Habibie and claimed his megaprojects supplanted state funding to other sectors.
In a meeting with Padjadjaran University lecturers and students in June, Habibie admitted for the first time that he may have been selfish in his obsession to advance high-tech in the country when he was a minister, to the neglect of other sectors.
"Now that I'm responsible for the whole Indonesian nation, my priority is the procurement of daily commodities, medicines, education, to help students whose parents have just lost their jobs and poor teachers, and make sure they have something to cook in their kitchens," Habibie said at that time.
"This activity (symposium) is not a luxury, because although we are facing heavy problems, we must do our best to face the future," the President noted on Monday. (prb)