BRIN Director General's Department Polemic, Megawati: I'm Considered Less Smart Perhaps

PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri responded to the polemic about her being the Chair of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Megawati considers her appointment as a polemic because many consider her to be less intelligent.

This was conveyed in a speech at the 49th PDIP Anniversary event which was held online. The event was attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and their staff.

"I may not be able to talk this time, Mr. Jokowi, so what kind of rich person is, I think maybe he's not smart enough. I like to laugh at myself," said Megawati as shown on PDI Perjuangan YouTube, Monday, January 10.

In relation to the criticism that she has held too many positions in government agencies, including BRIN, Megawati admits that she is also confused. Because, the appointment was not his will but directly from President Jokowi.

"Many people ask, why did Mr. Jokowi make me again (as Chairman of the BRIN Steering Committee)? I said, the one who ordered me to be president, did I want to do it myself? That's weird," said the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia. Megawati thanked President Jokowi for entrusting her to join BRIN. He hopes that in the future BRIN will be able to advance science and research.

In addition, he reminded the research agency must be able to become the backbone of the development of science in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia has depended on foreign research for too long.

"Where are my people? Where are these smart people? Why don't they dare? I said this to BRIN as Chairman of the Steering Committee," he said.

"BRIN must be able to become the backbone of the nation's progress. Because no great nation can progress without mastery of science and technology," concluded Megawati.