T

he government is optimistic it will be able to stand on its own two feet following a ministerial regulation aimed at tackling biopiracy that could result in significant cuts to research funding offered by foreign researchers.

The Research and Technology and Higher Education Ministry has said regulation No. 14/2017 on permission for foreign research will not significantly hinder national research programs, despite the fact that research programs in Indonesia do not receive much financial support from the government.

According to ministry data collected between June 2015 and July 2016, just 0.2 percent of Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) was spent on research.

Research in Singapore and Malaysia, by comparison, was allocated around 2 percent and 1 percent of GDP, respectively.

Sadjuga, director of intellectual property management at the ministry, acknowledged that the regulation might decrease the amount of research conducted by foreign entities because it set stricter rules on foreigners intending to conduct research in Indonesia.

He said the regulation was made to standardize the government’s efforts to protect Indonesia’s biodiversity.

“This regulation is a preventive action so we don’t lose control of our natural resources,” he said.

The government issued the regulation in the wake of concerns over increasing biopiracy in Indonesia, home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world. The relaxation of visa policies is thought to have made it easier for foreigners to access local biodiversity resources.

Under the regulation, the government has the power to reject a foreign research proposal if the topic is considered sensitive. A ban can also be imposed should planned research coincide with political events such as elections or the aftermath of social conflict.

The regulation also mandates that relevant authorities must scrutinize the location and the scheme of cooperation with national institutions.

Research and Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir recently said the government would push for more funding from private institutions.

“Of the 0.2 percent of GDP spent on research, the government only allocates 0.15 percent, while the remaining 0.05 percent comes from private parties,” he said recently as quoted by kompas.com.

Wahyu Yun Santoso, a lecturer in environmental law at Gadjah Mada University, said the issuance of the regulation would not set back the development of scientific research in Indonesia.

“As a country with mega biodiversity, we have still a strong bargaining position when foreign researchers approach us. [The new regulation] does not bar them from conducting research here. It serves as an instrument to prevent unwanted things from happening, such as disputes about patents,” Wahyu told The Jakarta Post.

Endang Sukara, a professor in microbiology from the University of Indonesia (UI), however, criticized the regulation and argued that it would be better for the government to improve the mechanisms of cooperation between Indonesian and foreign researchers rather than limit the amount of research involving foreign researchers. “What is more important is creating a culture of cooperation that can benefit both parties,” he said.

Endang added the government should allocate special funds in order to give Indonesians the opportunity to join research projects with foreign researchers.

Ida Bagus Narayana, a representative for Fraunhoufer, a German research institute, said Indonesia had to orient more toward sharing assets when conducting studies with foreign researchers.

He added that if the government refused or limited research conducted by foreign researchers in Indonesia, it would have to allocate more money for research from the state budget. (rdi/hol)