Scientists, cultural critics awarded with 'Satya Lencana'

JAKARTA (JP): Eight scientists and cultural critics were honored on Wednesday for their outstanding contributions to education and culture.

Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin presented the Satya Lencana Pembangunan, Satya Lencana Wirakarya, Satya Lencana Kebudayaan and Satya Lencana Hadiah Seni awards on behalf of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"This year is quite special since it happens that all of those receiving the Satya Lencana Pembangunan award are from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)," Yahya said in his address.

"We hope their commitment will help improve the teaching of mathematics and science," he added.

The ITB lecturers -- Djoko Susanto, I Gde Widiadnyana Merati, Rizal Zainuddin Tamin and Isnuwardi Anto -- received the Satya Lencana Pembangunan award for their achievement in developing a decentralized system of higher education, lecture system, physical and information development and scholarship system.

The 76-year-old Ali Akbar Navis, a long-time cultural critic, received the Satya Lencana Kebudayaan award.

Navis, known for his critical novels and poetry, said he felt honored by the award.

"But actually ... it's too late for me to receive such an award. Many younger cultural critics received this award before me. Then again, I'm always late in everything," he remarked.

Navis stopped writing in the 1950s to protest what he believed was a lack of criticism in the writing of the time. He resumed writing in 1994.

"I was married at the age of 32 and I started writing short stories at that time, while others began at a younger age. All of my fellow cultural critics used to laugh at me.

"By the way, the Indonesian award gives very little money compared to the international one. Gosh, I'm craving money," Navis said.

The Satya Lencana Wira Karya award was posthumously awarded to the late Mrs. Hasnah Anwar Boestam for her work in educating kindergarten students in riot-torn Aceh. Hasnah died last year.

The Satya Lencana Hadiah Seni award was given to Teuku Johan and Abdullah Arif.

Minister Yahya expressed hope the awards would spur the recipients to build on their work.

"These awards are not just symbolic. We have to appreciate and motivate these people to help this country out of its crisis." (edt)