The Legacy of the Genius BJ Habibie
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12 September 2019 13:32 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The third Indonesian president who is widely considered as the country’s father of democracy, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie or BJ Habibie, passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday, September 11. His passing reminds of the legacy he has left behind in the field of science and technology.
Here are 5 examples of the legacy left by the innovative statesman:
- The Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT)
BJ Habibie was one of the founders of this non-ministry government agency that acts under the coordination of the Research and Higher Education Ministry. The BPPT official website mentions that Habibie’s position as the government’s advisor on technology and aviation technology at the time was based on the idea of second president Soeharto on January 28, 1974.
His position at the aviation technology division of ATTP Pertamina enables him to report directly to the president.
- The Habibie Center
The Habibie Center was established in November 10, 1998, as a foundation to help develop Indonesia’s modernity and democracy carved by morality and cultural integrity, along with religious values.
This foundation bears two missions it eyes to achieve; firstly to establish a democratic society based on culture and structurally that upholds human rights and to study the development of democracy and human rights issues. IT also holds the Habibie Award annually.
- Crack Propagation Theory
It is reported that Habibie founded this theory which is used by the aviation industry to propagate or pinpoint the initial spot on an airplane’s fuselage or main structure. This enables scientists and aviation investigators to study an airplane’s metal fatigue and its effects on structural damage.
- Developing the first of Indonesia’s aviation industry
On April 26, 1976, the scholar established PT. Industri Pesawat Terbang Nurtanio which became the inaugural aviation industry in Southeast Asia. Nurtanio is the pioneer of Indonesia’s aviation industry.
It then changed to Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN) on October 11, 1985, before it was restructured in August 2000 into what is now known as the Indonesian aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI).
- Indonesia’s First Aircraft N250 Gatotkaca
In 1995, BJ Habibie succeeded in leading the N250 Gatotkaca aircraft project that was based on his own personal design, which is said to be able to endure the Dutch Roll. The Gatotkaca is also the only turboprop craft in the world utilizing the fly-by-wire technology, which sees controls not directly mechanically joined.
Apart from the N250, he also significantly contributed to several other aircraft and helicopter projects for military use and commercial use.
MOH KHORY ALFARIZI
