Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) legislator has questioned the government`s plan to cooperate in the defense industry field with China.

"The Defense Ministry should be consistent with the government`s intention to give priority to the domestic defense industry revitalization program," Tjahjo Kumolo, chairman of the PDIP facton in the House of Representatives (DPR), said here on Monday.

He made the remark in response to a defense ministry statement indicating the ministry was drawing up a plan to develop a defense industry in cooperation with China. Such a plan could mean Indonesia would eventually procure more arms from China, he said.

Tjahjo said Indonesia had enough human resources and other domestic supporting facilities to develop its domestic defense industry as long as the government had the political will to take immediate action.

"It should not happen that the government eventually explores the possibility of procuring arms from China," he said.

He said the government should seriously try to empower the domestic arms industry so that the country could become independent in meeting its armament needs for the sake of reinforcing the country`s sovereignty.

"If we don`t begin developing our own defense industry now, we will be facing heavier and heavier problems in the future, and never be able to end our dependence on foreign arms. We could then become easily dictated by foreign powers and this should not happen," he added.(*)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik
COPYRIGHT © 2012

Comment
Send Comment