Indonesian VP slams reseachers
Indonesian VP Jusuf Kalla, known for his unique views, has launched an attack on the country’s scientists…at an awards ceremony.
Mr Kalla said that in his opinion, scientists and researchers were great at talking at conferences, but no so good at coming up with products that work, especially one’s that could help Indonesia progress. His remarks came at an event to commemorate National Technology Day. Pity those Indonesian scientists, who live without much funding and get an ear full for their efforts.
Mr Kalla was frustrated that Insonesian scientists have not solve the countries energy, food and transportation problems, areas more under his control than theirs. Still it provided some light entertainent for those present. Here’s more form the Jakarta Post.
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Vice President Jusuf Kalla derided researchers and their institutions Thursday, saying they should take a hard look at themselves and see whether their contributions are worth the taxpayer money they spend.
Speaking at an event to commemorate National Technology Day, Kalla described researchers as “talking too much in seminars but doing less to make their theories happen.”
“They are great at addressing seminars, but not so much at using their hands and brains. We have many researchers attached to many institutions. Assess their performance and see if their contributions are worth the total cost,” he said.
Kalla made the remarks when presenting awards to nine researchers. Also attending the gathering were some Cabinet ministers.
The Vice President singled out the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI).
“There are times when I, like many people, think that BPPT stands for ‘Agency for the Procurement of Technology’ because what we (Indonesians) do is buy foreign technology.
“Or when I think LIPI stands for ‘Indonesian Institute of Politics’ because what we often see is LIPI researchers making political comments and criticizing the government,” he said to the audience’s laughter.
Kalla, who has often failed to conceal his dislike for criticism of the government, said he was aware that Indonesia does not allocate a lot of money for research and development. He said the country was still struggling to make ends meet.
“The truth is that technology should support the economy. It’s a two-way relationship. If our researchers can’t produce better rice seeds with more volume, we’ll always be importing rice. If the researchers can’t come up with alternative energy, we’ll always be importing oil and spending a lot of money on subsidies,” he argued.
State Minister for Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman reported at the gathering that his office had a list of priorities for technological development for 2005-2009.
The priorities are sustainable food, renewable energy, transportation, communication, medicines, and security and defense.
Kusmayanto, a former rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), said the outline of priorities also provided direction for technological development through 2025.
Critics have often complained that Indonesian policies lack continuity because each new regime draws up its own plans.