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Science, innovation at stake under BRIN management
Agency stands accused of not having a clear strategy to develop science.
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he future of science and innovation in Indonesia is at stake under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), researchers say, as it faces mounting public criticism over a series of questionable policies deemed as detrimental to scientific progress.
The agency stands accused of not having a clear strategy to develop science after its own researchers complained about what they claim are reckless spending policies, one of which is reportedly paying lawmakers for simply opening online training workshops.
Institutional flaw
But alleged financial mismanagement aside, researchers said the agency’s institutional design could be the reason why it is failing to make a leap forward for science, adding that research in the country has taken a step backward since BRIN took charge.
“Right now, we are already facing setbacks on all fronts, in research, innovation, science and technology. So, if there are no changes introduced, we will continue to fall further behind other countries,” said Satryo Brodjonegoro, chairman of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI), a civil society group set up by local scientists.
BRIN was established in 2019 as part of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s newfound focus on research and innovation in the second term of his presidency. It was initially tasked only with coordinating research programs and policies among the country’s different research institutions. However, President Jokowi later issued a presidential regulation authorizing the agency to usurp existing research institutions, including those operating under the auspices of various ministries, turning it into a “research superbody”.
This policy is seen as problematic. BRIN’s takeover of the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology in early 2022 was particularly contentious, as observers said it could compromise ongoing projects, including the development of Indonesia’s own vaccine, potentially crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at the time.
But the bigger concern is that the policy would make all the researchers working for the institutions into civil servants, which would compromise their independence.
It does not help that BRIN is currently under the strategic direction of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) matriarch Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was appointed BRIN’s chief adviser in 2021, stoking fears about the politicization of science.
“Since [the researchers] are working civil servants, they do not have that freedom to innovate. How can they, if they have all been given strict rules? There can never be innovation coming from an office, particularly one called BRIN,” he said.
The other issue under scrutiny is the welfare of researchers.
Yanuar Nugroho, a senior advisor at the Center for Innovation Policy and Governance (CIPG), said that BRIN had yet to usher in better welfare for researchers, despite it being touted as one of the reasons for BRIN’s usurping of other research bodies.
“While it is difficult to measure [BRIN’s impact] in improving the quality of research in just two years' time, there should already be changes in terms of improving researchers’ welfare. But, there has also been no significant progress in that regard,” Yanuar said.
Change of leadership
Following a meeting between BRIN and House of Representatives Commission VII overseeing research and innovation on Monday, a proposal was raised to replace current BRIN head Laksana Tri Handoko, known as a close ally of Megawati.
During the meeting, lawmakers grilled Laksana over his lack of progress in consolidating research nationwide, his contentious leadership and alleged misuse of BRIN funds, including using around two-thirds of BRIN’s 2022 budget on employee spending.
Researchers, however, are unconvinced that a change of leadership will solve the bigger problem, and argue instead for more sweeping reforms.
“There is only one solution. Change the presidential regulation [which mandated BRIN to usurp other research bodies] and revert BRIN back to its original function of coordinating [research programs],” Satryo said.
Yanuar, meanwhile, said that, aside from focusing just on BRIN, policymakers needed to rethink Indonesia’s research ecosystem as a whole, with a sharper focus on streamlining existing regulations on research, improving researcher welfare and funding, as well as research accountability and governance.
“[If there are no improvements], Indonesia’s dream of becoming a developed country by 2045, the so-called Indonesia emas [golden Indonesia], will never happen. It will just be an empty slogan,” he added. (ahw)
