The appointment of Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro as Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology in the Red-and-White Cabinet of President Prabowo Subianto raises questions about the future of National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
In his then capacity as Chairman of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI), Satryo has strongly opposed the merger of research institutions into BRIN.
“From the beginning, AIPI has warned that the merger of research institutions that have different identities will trigger problems. Now we can see the impact,” Satryotold a hearing with Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR) in early January 2023.
Satryo assessed that the merger has caused the scientific decline in Indonesia. According to him, BRIN has made drastic changes and eliminated the identity of research institutions that were partly running well. These institutions were decades old and each had a work culture. Suddenly they were merged and their identities were removed with very different functions and activities.
Meanwhile, Head of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko recently emphasized that BRIN will remain independent and will not be split or merged with other ministries. He cited that the formation of BRIN is stipulated in Article 48, Paragraphs 1 to 3, of Law No. 11/2019 on the National Science and Technology System.
“So far, BRIN has not changed because it is a mandate of Law No. 11/2019,” Handoko said as quoted by Kompas.com onTuesday, October 22, 2024.
“BRIN will continue to carry out its duties in accordance with Law No. 11/2019 and Presidential Decree (Perpres) No. 78/2021,” he added.
Satryo, in his capacity as Chairman of AIPI, had sent an official letter to the government of then President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, providing input so that the research ecosystem in Indonesia would improve, and not experience a decline like it is currently is.
“If there is no evaluation, the researchers will be demotivated deeper. Efforts to restore their motivaion will not be easy,” he said.
