A law on the national system of science and technology, enacted on Tuesday by the House of Representatives, allows the government to set up such a body in order to better integrate research institutions.

“[We would like to] set up a body that could integrate all research institutions in Indonesia, including those from ministries or other institutions,” Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir said after a House plenary session to pass the bill into law.

Nasir said the details of the body had not been finalized, with presidential approval pending.

“President [Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo] would decide whether the body would be under the coordination of a ministry or an [entirely] independent body,” Nasir said.

The law stipulates that the President should create a national research and innovation body in order to integrate research, assessment, development, invention and innovation systems.

Meanwhile, the academic community is coordinating with the Cabinet Secretariat in determining the function and task of the body, Indonesian Sciences Academy (AIPI) secretary-general Chairil Abdini said.

“We are hoping that the body will strengthen national capabilities on science and technology so that it can contribute significantly in advancing the country,” Chairil told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The body should at least use the triple helix model of innovation, cooperating with higher education and research institutions, the government and the private sector in order to produce talents, new technology and national innovations, Chairil said.

He argued that the body, along with the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry, should operate under the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister instead of the Office of the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister to better integrate science and technology with industry.

“The body needs to coordinate with the economic sector so that fiscal, industry and foreign trade policies can be better integrated with science and technology policy, because the end goal is to boost economic productivity,”
Chairil said.

The law to set up such a body is in line with a promise made by Jokowi and his then-running mate on the campaign trail, Ma’ruf Amin.

“A developed country will prioritize its research by coordinating over the allocation of funds. All this time the funds have been divided among each ministry and institution, but [we] will unify it and set up a national research body,” Ma’ruf said during a debate in March.

The research divisions of ministries and institutions had the authority to conduct research, according to Berry Juliandi of the Indonesian Academy of Young Scientists (ALMI).

“It seems that the research and innovation body will have the authority to pursue an agenda, policy [...] That is why I believe the body should merge with the research ministry in order to formulate more effective policies and programs,” Berry told the Post.

Meanwhile, the law’s Article 62 mandates the government to establish an endowment fund for research and innovation.

Berry said he appreciated the endowment fund by the government but was of the opinion that the management of such funds should be controlled by an independent body, not the ministry and the research body.

“Separation is needed to ensure a division of authority, thereby guaranteeing accountability, transparency and competition in science and technology,” he said.

The endowment fund for research, Berry argued, “is a breakthrough regulation that could advance science and innovation if managed by an independent body”.

The law, however, has been criticized for allowing the government to file criminal charges against foreign scientists accused of violating research regulations. (awa)

Popular

To my horror, it’s just a movie!

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Pentagon chief congratulates Prabowo on being elected President