Why A.S. Hikam?

Why A.S. Hikam?

From Republika

There is a big question as to why A.S. Hikam was chosen as
State Minister for Research and Technology in the "National
Unity" Cabinet. It should be realized that the challenge of the
free market within the ASEAN region during the next four years
(to 2004) is quite obvious. The challenge of the global free
market by the year 2010 is even greater. And the government's
effective performance in the free market era depends, to a great
extent, on the effective use of science and technology in
domestic products.

In fact, there are still a lot of research and technology
experts in this country who possess a vision for the development
of science and technology. Obviously they make a much greater
contribution to research and technology, quantitatively and
qualitatively, than A.S. Hikam, whose vision in this area (let
alone in high technology) is still questionable. Does his
background of political science and literature make him capable
of developing science and technology so that we can compete in
the global free market? I doubt it.

We have reason to worry that the concept of making Indonesia a
strong and advanced nation with adequate science and technology
will become an empty dream, mainly because this field is handled
by the wrong man. Quo vadis science and technology? To be
concrete, why A.S. Hikam?

HERMAN SUSILO

Chairman of Students Council

School of Mathematics and Physics

Airlangga University

Surabaya