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