PKB Legislator Calls Renovation Of Megawati Etc's Room At BRIN Reaches IDR 6 Billion Too Much, Doesn't Make Sense

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has highlighted the renovation of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) which cost IDR 6.1 billion.

Member of Commission VII of the DPR from the PKB faction, Abdul Kadir Karding, assessed that the budget was too excessive and unreasonable with BRIN's position as a new institution.

"This budget is too excessive and doesn't make sense to BRIN's position as a new institution", Karding told reporters, Monday, July 18.

Karding continued, the budget should be allocated to encourage research and development so that existing resources will be more productive to develop research.

"I think the focus of these budgets should be pushed to efforts to consolidate many researchers so that they focus. Focus on research that is productive and can be used usefully for the community", he urged.

Moreover, the PKB politician believes that Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chair of the BRIN Steering Committee, does not want the renovation. Therefore, according to Karding, the room renovation for the 10 Steering Committees will actually have a negative impact on Megawati.

"I believe that Mrs. Mega did not ask for such a grand, luxurious room to be provided. In fact, in my opinion, this issue has had a negative impact on Mrs. Mega. Mrs. Mega's reputation will be disturbed because of this activity. I believe that Mrs. Mega did not ask for that. Because BRIN friends want to be seen, yes, if people say now it's to be liked, but it's actually harming Mrs. Mega", he said.

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 IDR 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 was 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. So the renovation for this bedroom is 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 IDR 6 billion renovations were 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.