New board of social scientists

New board of social scientists

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association for Social Sciences Development (HIPIIS) yesterday introduced its new executive board.

The association groups intellectuals from various universities and state institutions.

Sofian Effendi, Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto, Gunawan Sumodiningrat and A. Malik Fajar were among those elected for the 1997-2001 membership at the association's congress in Medan, North Sumatra, in March.

Sofyan is an advisor to State Minister for Research and Technology B.J. Habibie. Soetandyo is a member of the National Commission on Human Rights.

The new chairman, Muljanto Sumardi, said the association was ready to work with the government to identify problems and offer solutions.

At the Medan congress, President Soeharto criticized social scientists for unsubstantiated, hasty analysis. They were accused of not helping prevent social problems.

In a further effort to understand local problems, the congress decided to set up chapters in various regions. (03)