Wednesday, April 23, 2008
President Yudhoyono Takes Proactive Step in Weaponry Industry
Source: Antara News

Jakarta, Apr 23 (ANTARA) - Member of the defense and foreign affairs commission of the House of Representatives of the Golkar party faction Hajriyanto Y Thohari believed that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had taken a successful proactive step in Indonesia`s strategic and arms industry.

He made the statement by phone on Wednesday commenting on an effort of the President to offer products of Indonesia`s strategic industry to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, namely CN 235 aircraft built by the national airplane maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI) and weaponry built by the state arms manufacturer PT PIndad, both based in Bandung.

"This is really a proactive and strategic step which President Yudhoyono has taken. The government is supposed to stand firmly behind the national strategic industry like strategic state enterprises DI and Pindad," the lawmaker said during a House recess which he used to visit several countries, including Algeria.

He told the government not to hesitate or feel ashamed of promoting the products of Indonesia`s strategic industries in other countries.

Hajriyanto Thohari also suggested President Yudhoyono first to persuade the Ministry of Defense and the Military (TNI) Headquarters to use locally manufactured products, rather than making overseas purchases.

Why is this so important? Because of two reasons, he said. "Firstly, the defense ministry has been rather reluctant to use the products of Indonesia`s strategic industries, and preferred importing the products. Secondly, it would be increasingly difficult for the President to offer Indonesian products to other countries, if one`s own country is reluctant to use its own products," he said.

Therefore, he pointed out, there is no other choice but ordering the ministry defense to change its habit.

"I have also offered the products of our strategic industries to Algeria," said Hajriyanto Thohari, who is currently having a meeting with the Algerian Parliamentary defense commission.

In the meantime, earlier his fellow member of the House commission I of the National Mandate Party faction Dedy Djamaluddin Malik said that the offer of products of Indonesia`s strategic industries to Brunei Darussalam is also good for promoting Indonesia`s image to other Asean member countries.

"It is a pity that the government still has no clearcut policy for the future in relation to the development of strategic industries, especially from the conceptional and financial aspects," he said.