PERHAPS the Indonesian Tsunami Buoy is a masterpiece. In its development though, the process of designing and assembling this device resembles the mission of the legendary hero, Sangkuriang.

Our present story began when Vice President Jusuf Kalla personally called for the construction of an early-warning system last August. At that time, a deadline was set for December.

In any case, by year’s end, the buoy was still in the testing phase. Desp