Scientists, cultural critics awarded with 'Satya Lencana'

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)