N2130 aircraft

N2130 aircraft

From Pelita

Reading Probosutedjo's statements on Habibie and IPTN (the state-run aviation industry) published in the March 9, 1996 edition of Pelita, I am impelled to give some comments.

In his judgment, Probosutedjo has based his views solely on a business perspective. He said that it would be much better for the nation to buy a few big aircraft like the Airbus than to produce the expensive N2130 aircraft.

From a short-term goal perspective, Probosutedjo's concept might be right. Nevertheless, we should realize the fact that at present, more than 16,000 employees of IPTN (the country's sons and daughters) are working hard to master the sophisticated technology used in manufacturing aircraft, with the hope that one day in the future, we will be on the same level with the other technologically-advanced nations, and no longer dependent on foreign manufacturers.

IPTN has proven its competence by successfully conducting the maiden flight of its newly-manufactured N-250 aircraft on Aug. 10, 1995. The date was later declared as National Technology Day.

It should be understood that the nation shares in the success of IPTN. Probosutedjo, a noted and successful indigenous businessman, should give his full support to Habibie's programs, and at the same time feel proud of the achievements of his fellow countrymen. The younger generation does not want to inherit a business mentality without proving our competence in producing something to be proud of.

After all, Probosutedjo, a respected business tycoon with a deep sense of nationalism, would rather choose to be a sales agent of the N2130 rather than the foreign-manufactured Airbus. He would also tend to interpret the Javanese saying tetuko as sing tuku kudu teko, sing teko kudu tuku, which roughly translates as "the buyers must come, and those who come, must buy."

RUSSRIZALDY THAMRIN

Bogor, West Java