Vocal LIPI scientists won't be punished

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