'RI should buy or steal Japan's technology'

DEPOK, West Java (JP): Indonesia should either buy or steal technology from Japan rather than wait for it to be transferred willingly, an expert advised.

Executive director of the University of Indonesia Center of Japanese Studies Hero U. Kuntjoro-Jakti told a seminar yesterday that technology advancement is a tough process, for which cheating may sometimes be justified.

Indonesia is only now realizing that it must develop sophisticated technology. "Unfortunately some countries are reluctant to transfer their technology to us," he said.

"We must do something about it. We shouldn't just wait. We should buy or even steal the technology if necessary," he said.

"It will take Japan a long time to be willing to transfer its technology to us," he said. "Meanwhile, we'll grow to be dependent on Japan."

Held to commemorate the center's first anniversary, the seminar also featured Lukman Hakim of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Herman Z. Latif, Chairman of the Association of the Indonesian Automotive Industry, and I Ketut Surajaya, President of the Association of Japanese Studies in Indonesia.

"Not that efforts to buy or steal Japanese technology would be easy," he warned. "Japan watches over its foreign investments and technology transfers very carefully."

He said that Japan is always striving to be ahead of countries importing its technology. "It is always trying to maintain its technological dominance over other countries."

Hero admitted that Indonesia could be punished for stealing Japanese technology, but he considered it was worth the risk.

"Fine. We'll pay then. If we keep waiting for Japan to be willing to transfer its technology to us, we'll be disappointed," he said. "Who knows, maybe Japan won't be willing to let other countries, including Indonesia, have advanced technology."

Hero said Japan, too, had bought or stolen technology from other countries and then improved and developed it.

Hero said that buying or stealing technology would not adversely affect Indonesian - Japanese relations.

Japan is Indonesia's biggest investor and it plays a pivotal role in the country's development. It is also Indonesia's largest aid donor, through the current Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI).

Japanese investment in Indonesia is worth over US$23 billion, representing nearly 19 percent of cumulative approved foreign investment.

Trade with Japan has risen steadily. Exports of non-oil and gas products increased by over 20 percent per year between 1986 and 1993. (31)