Members Of The DPR F-PKS Criticize The Room Renovation Of The BRIN Steering Committee: The Rp6 Billion Budget Should Be For Research, Not Lazy
JAKARTA - Member of Commission VII DPR from the PKS faction, Mulyanto, criticized the program to renovate the workspace of the Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Megawati Soekarnoputri, which cost around Rp. 6 billion. relatively large. According to Mulyanto, BRIN's budget of that size should be used for research activities whose results are beneficial to the community, not to provide sleeping rooms for its leaders.
"The chairman and members of the BRIN Steering Committee are generally figures or officials in other institutions, who already have workspaces. So what they need is a meeting room to discuss various things that can be co-working spaces. So there is no need for new procurement," said Mulyanto to reporters, Monday, July 18.
Mulyanto assesses the figure of more than Rp. 6 billion for the renovation of the workspace is quite fantastic. Given the state's financial condition is currently fluctuating due to subsidizing oil and gas commodities.
"It is better to postpone it first if it is not urgent. Given the limited state financial conditions," he continued.
The PKS politician also believes that rather than renovating the workspace, it is better to use that amount of budget for other more important activities. Considering that currently there are many other priority activities that need to be completed by BRIN.
"The Steering Committee should provide a clear and precise direction for the development of research and technology in the country. It should not become a new burden for BRIN," said Mulyanto.
There is also something that BRIN must prioritize, Mulyanto continued, namely the process of merging research institutions in various ministries which has not been completed yet, regarding the administration of transferring people (researchers), goods, laboratories, buildings, including programs and budgets that still look chaotic.
"This needs to be resolved and reorganized to completion," said Mulyanto.
The PKS Legislator for the Banten Dapil reminded that at this time BRIN had to work hard to complete the homework. Therefore, commitment from all BRIN leaders is needed in order to catch up. Not even adding a new PR that can't be solved.
"BRIN needs people who want to work hard. Not people who want to relax, sit comfortably in an expensive workspace," concluded Mulyanto.
Previously, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) explained about the renovation of the workspace of the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Megawati Soekarnoputri and 9 other directors, which cost more than Rp. 6 billion.
"So since the inauguration, we have no room for the Steering Committee," said the Head of the General Public Communications and Secretariat of BRIN Driszal Friyantoni when contacted, Sunday, July 17.
Meanwhile, regarding the existence of a bedroom in the former Head of BPPT's room, BRIN decided to keep it. According to him, the bedroom is actually not a new facility.
"Well, Mother (Megawati) is old too, is she old? For example, if you want to rest, instead of eliminating it, it's still there," said Driszal.
"Now if you want to see it is also there, we are also surprised (the news of the renovation of Megawati's room went viral)," he continued.
Driszal also called BRIN's efforts to maintain a bedroom for the chairman of their Steering Committee as a natural thing. Moreover, Megawati is now 75 years old and needs to rest. Therefore, renovations for this bedroom are still being carried out.
"Rather than a former person, right? Maybe you are a bit uncomfortable too, maybe you can rest if you are a former person, well (renovated)," said Driszal.
Driszal ensured that the Rp6 billion renovation was purely an initiative of BRIN without any proposal from the Steering Committee. Including the question of the existence of a bedroom for Megawati. "There is no request from Mother at all, there is no directive," he concluded.