Research Budget is Considered Too Small, Prabowo Targets Funds from Corruption Eradication

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto admitted that Indonesia's investment in research and development is still very small. The government wants to increase the budget by finding funds from savings as well as closing corruption and fraud practices.

Prabowo conveyed this when receiving BRIN Head Arif Satria and researchers at the Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday, August 6.

"We correct ourselves as a nation. Our investment in the field of research and development is very little," said Prabowo.

Research and development or research and development is an activity to generate new knowledge, products, and technologies.

Prabowo said the government would try to improve the situation. However, increasing research investment requires large funds.

"For that, of course, we need funds. We are looking for funds," he said.

According to Prabowo, the source of funds can be obtained through savings and eradication of corrupt practices, fraud, and under invoicing.

Under invoicing is the practice of recording the value of goods or transactions lower than the actual value. This method can be used to reduce tax liabilities, import duties, or hide the value of transactions.

"Where is the money from? From savings, from eliminating corrupt things, corrupt practices, fraudulent practices, fraud, under invoicing," said Prabowo.

He did not specify how much additional research budget was prepared or when the increase would begin.

Prabowo assessed that mastery of science and technology determines whether a country is advanced or not. However, this ability does not arise by itself.

According to Prabowo, scientists must be sought, trained, given opportunities, and supported through a long process.

Prabowo also said that the approach to development must use facts, science, mathematics, and reality in the field.