Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie Is The Minister Of Research And Technology

BJ Habibie (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie is widely known as the former President of the Republic of Indonesia. In the course of his career, Habibie was the Minister of Research and Technology (Menristek) under the auspices of the New Order (Orba). The most contributive menristek ever owned by the Indonesian nation.

Habibie is known for his genius as an aircraft engineer. Moreover, Habibie is so smart and has an alluring speech ability. Especially in the development of technology.

In the national map, Habibie's achievements were present when he became Minister of Technology. Habibie even served up to four cabinet eras under Suharto's government.

Habibie served since the cabinet era of Development III (1978) until the end of the cabinet Development VI (1998). If calculated Habibie takes care of the development of Indonesian technology even 20 years.

In his leadership, many achievements were also achieved, including developing biotechnology and showing Indonesia is capable of making aircraft. The fruit, Habibie became the most idolized by children in the 1970s.

Every child who is asked the ideals of growing up, then becoming Habibie is the most commonly heard answer. Not only for kindergarten children, junior high and high school children also want to be Habibie.

Habibie has shown all Indonesians that there is nothing impossible in life. Included in building an aircraft factory.

BJ Habibie (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

"Smart man, genius and maybe from 130 million Indonesians (1980s data) there will only be one like him. All those words are not empty words, although that's not what matters. Nor is he the founder of a sophisticated aircraft industry that no one ever believed would be able to be done by indonesians. Not that, because humbly in the glory of the aircraft industry led by him at that time, he always said that all that could be witnessed at that time, was not the work of his own, but the work of all Indonesian sons and daughters who worked in the Nusantara Aircraft Industry (IPTN), now PT. Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI)," said A. Makmur Makka in the book Mr. Crack from Pare-Pare (2018).

Habibie at that time who concurrently held the position as Head of the Agency for The Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), successfully pioneered and carried out the development of risek and technology. In fact, Indonesia was still in the process of development, and the economy was not okay.

Habibie claimed to be motivated to develop indonesian technology thanks to a speech from Bung Karno who has an engineer background. Bung Karno once said: This great nation can be united and controlled militarily, and can also be integrated if this nation controls two things, namely aviation and shipping.

"Shortly before leaving, Habibie and his group of students who were going to West Germany received advice from President Sukarno. He punched me in the head and said, 'You are the ones who will determine the future of the nation.' Habibie at that time sat at the front while cross-legged on the floor, looking up while glaring his round eyes towards Bung Karno. Perhaps because of my bulgeing eyes he pressed my head," said Habibie quoted Agus Basri, Linda Djalil, and Sri Pudyastuti in his writing in Tempo Magazine titled Mister Crack from Pare-Pare (1992).

Habibie and his achievements

Habibie was sworn in as the third president of the Republic of Indonesia (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

Before serving as Minister of Technology, Habibie was first invited to visit Suharto's residence at the end of January 1974. In the meeting, Habibie was given three clues.

One, Habibie was allowed to make the aircraft industry. Second, so that I prepare the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology. Third, established the Center for Science and Technology Research (Puspiptek).

Suharto gave Habibie the freedom to carry out his mandate. Suharto gave only one note: do not wage revolution. Therefore, Habibie carried out the instructions from Suharto as best he could.

As Minister of Technology, Habibie has a clear strategy on how Indonesia utilizes science and technology. Not only airplanes, Habibie also supports biotechnology research driven by science.

On the other hand Habibie also sponsored scholarships for thousands of young people to achieve science and technology abroad. Moreover, Habibie often uses his power to trim the octane that inhibits scientific research.

"Habibie, who was developing the Indonesian aircraft industry at the time, noticed an important scientific revolution taking place in the field of molecular biology, which was far from his field of expertise. This is a testament to his visionary thinking as minister of research and technology," Sangkot Marzuki wrote in his paper in The Conversation titled Former president B.J. Habibie is the Best Research and Technology Minister Indonesia Has Ever Had (2019).

Nevertheless, Habibie still emphasized that his achievements were the result of collective work. In a sense, many people have been involved in expanding the development of Indonesian technology.

Most importantly, Habibie was then not only known as an aerospace expert. Instead, Habibie established himself as one of the centers of power of the old order.

One side, Habibie has an idea. On the other hand, in the development of technology, Habibie is a reliable strategist.

"I once said, the construction is like a car. The driver is mandataris MPR, the car of the Republic of Indonesia. The gas is engineers, the brakes are economists. If you only use the brakes, the car won't go out of the garage. But if you only use gas, only 10 meters have hit the tree. How can you trust the President to hold so many office? Perhaps it has something to do with what Mr. Harto always said about his ministers and aides. All of them were given the same opportunity to excel, but yes implemented," said Habibie in his interview with Tempo Magazine entitled I'm Not As Stupid as People Think (1992).

*Read more information about SEJARAH NUSANTARA or read other interesting writings from Detha Arya Tifada.

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