President challenges researcher to develop nuclear technology for peace

Tangerang, NU Online
Amidst the continuous public protest to government's plan to build a nuclear power station in Jepara, Central Java, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on researchers to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

The president also asked the researchers to be innovative in developing nuclear technology and always use it properly in dealing with the world's various problems.<>

"I call on you to change our country by inventing technology breakthrough, conducting research in various fields, particularly concerning with food, energy, water and medicines, which can save our life in the future," he was quoted by by the state news agency as saying Wednesday when he was visitingthe National Atomic Energy Agency (Batan) at the Center of Science and Technology in Serpong, Tangerang, Banten.

He expressed his appreciation to the recent Batan's research to strengthen the food security program that resulting in inventing superior paddy varieties, and several applications in healthcare sector.

There will not be any future without technology, as the civilization is continuously changing. Therefore, the government would support and appreciate researchers to continuously produce new inventions and keep up with the world's latest technology, he said.

On the occasion, Susilo Bambang also emphasized on the development of technology that could detect earthquake and tsunami, as well as the invention of medicines to cope with AIDS and the current bird flu outbreak, which has killed around 80 people in the country. (dar)