RI prepares for the next century through technology: Habibie
RI prepares for the next century through technology: Habibie
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie said yesterday that by the 21st century Indonesia will
have four science and technology research centers.
"Establishing the four research centers is a real need for our
country as we prepare for the next century," Habibie said at a
hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission X, which
oversees science, technology and environmental affairs. He did
not say how much the project would cost.
The Serpong research center in West Java has been conducting
cross-disciplinary studies in bio-technology, thermodynamics,
nuclear science, and electronics as well as forestry, medical and
veterinary studies.
Future centers are proposed to conduct and compile studies on
aerospace and maritime. Proposed sites include an space center in
Parepare, South Sulawesi and maritime studies centers on Seram
and Ambon islands, Maluku.
For the aerospace center, Habibie has his heart set on a site
near Bandung, presently a water catchment area about 1,500 meter
above sea level, for practical reasons -- its proximity to the PT
IPTN aircraft manufacturer.
"We are still negotiating permission from the Department of
Forestry for 10 percent of their property, though we really don't
have an alternative," Habibie told reporters during a break.
Last year, Habibie admitted that five of the 10 state-owned
enterprises supervised by the Management Board for Strategic
Industries (BPIS) suffered financial losses.
"Most state-owned enterprises, especially those involving high
technology, go through the process of not being profitable
economically. For now we should focus only on the knowledge and
technology that we have a chance to learn," Habibie said.
Habibie also updated legislation on the development of the
Batam, Rempang and Galang islands known by its acronym Barelang.
Scheduled to start operations in November, Habibie said that
the facilities at Hang Nadim airport on Batam Island are
comparable to Changi airport in Singapore.
The airport has a four-kilometer runway while Soekarno-Hatta
only has 3.6 kilometers.
"Economically, Hang Nadim airport offer a better deal than
Changi: the landing fee is at least 48 percent lower, while fuel
is 7 to 15 percent cheaper," Habibie said.
Six bridges are being built to link the Barelang islands,
scheduled for completion next year.
The bridges will create a land link between Batam, Tonton,
Nipah, Setoko, Rempang, Galang and Galang Baru. (icn/14)