President Jokowi Calls for Coordinated Government-Related Research

Research and Technology Minister/BRIN Head Bambang Brodjonegoro delivers a press statement after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/12). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for coordination of research related to government affairs and universities done by Ministry of Research and Technology/the National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN).

“Researchers do not only work based on their own interests but are directed to provide solutions to the problems this country is facing,” said Minister of Research and Technology/BRIN Head Bambang Brodjonegoro after a limited meeting at the President’s Office, Jakarta.

According to Bambang, his ministry will facilitate budgeting planning of all R&D activities, mainly research, development, study, and application in ministries/institutions, non-ministerial government institutions under the Ministry of Research and Technology or in universities.

As for the budget, given that Ministry of Education and Culture is now in charge of higher education technical affairs, Bambang explained that higher education research budget is still below that of Ministry of Research and Technology/ BRIN, adding that the program planning and use must be approved and comply with the programs set by Ministry of Research and Technology/BRIN.

In the meantime, six non-ministry government institutions (LPNK) which are under Ministry of Research and Technology, namely the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT), the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN), the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), the Nuclear Agency Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN), and the National Standardization Agency (BSN), will become part of BRIN to conduct R&D activities.

Bambang went on to say that in 2020, the research activities will focus on efforts to help resolve economic issues, among others, to promote appropriate technology –  for example hand tractors that use gas or other product samples, such as food in durable packaging – to contribute to the creation of added value products, especially from natural and automatic resource products, such as derivatives from palm oil or derivatives from various plants and mining products, and to seek import substitution while increasing local content requirements (TKDN).

One example is the effort to develop B100 program (100 percent palm oil-based projects), which will automatically reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuel imports, Bambang added. (HIM/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas