Vocal LIPI scientists won't be punished

JAKARTA (JP): The National Institute of Sciences will not take punitive measures against 19 researchers who demanded presidential change on Tuesday, an official said yesterday.

Head of the institute Soefjan Tsauri said instead he appreciated the concern shown by the researchers.

"The joint statement in fact represents their responsibility toward the country, and they are just trying to express it," Soefjan was quoted by head of the institute's bureau in charge of technology and sciences socialization, Amru Hydari Nazif, as saying.

"As an institution, we will not impose any punishment on them, although there may be pressure to do so from external parties," Soefjan said.

He did not elaborate on who the external parties could be.

As employees of the state institution, the researchers are members of the civil service and, therefore, are obliged to affiliate themselves to the ruling political organization Golkar.

Amru said that the institute tried to ensure that all scientists working for it carried out their jobs in accordance with their respective expertise, with minimal curbs on their freedom.

"Nevertheless, the head of the institute always feels he is the first man to be held responsible for researchers' findings," Amru told Antara.

The 19 scientists said on Tuesday that a new president was needed if the country was to heal its ailing economy.

They were skeptical that the nation could be led out of its dire economical position by a government under President Soeharto due to the bureaucracy's stubborn defiance for comprehensive reforms.

They said they were ready to brave all consequences following their statement. (amd)b