'RI should buy or steal Japan's technology'

'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)