The Researcher Had Predicted The Badai Strikes Of Jabodetabek On December 28, The Head Of BRIN: That's Personal, Not Official Opinion

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Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laksana Tri Handoko denied that his institution had released potential for heavy rain and storms in the Jabodetabek area on December 28.

Handoko emphasized that the statement from Climatology Researcher, at the Center for Climate Research, and Atmosfir, BRIN, Erma Yulihastin on his social media account was private and was not on behalf of BRIN as a government institution.

"Academics have academic freedom and scientific authority according to their field, within the scientific community. In giving authority to science information in public spaces, this authority does not apply. Public spaces have broad legal impacts and consequences. Yesterday was the personal opinion of BRIN researchers, not from BRIN," said Handoko in his statement, Thursday, December 29.

Handoko said BRIN refers to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) regarding weather and climate information and predictions. According to him, the public must also refer to BMKG in obtaining information about the weather.

However, Handoko emphasized that it does not mean that BRIN has no responsibility and contributes to the public information above.

"In most cases, BRIN has also become the main data supplier for various information, including for forest fires, weather, climate, disaster, health, nuclear and so on," explained Handoko.

On that occasion, Handoko said that this polemic could make all parties aware of the importance of strengthening science literacy for the public.

"As a government institution for BRIN research and innovation, it is certainly one of the parties responsible for this. In particular BRIN, we are working hard to fix, not only the research and innovation ecosystem, but also improving scientific standards and norms and culture among researchers nationally," he added.

Previously, Jabodetabek residents panicked with the potential for extreme rain and catastrophic storms on December 28, 2022. BRIN researchers revealed that there is the potential for large floods in the Jabodetabek area starting Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

"The potential for large floods is Jabodetabek. Whoever you live in Jabodetabek, and especially Tangerang or Banten, please prepare for extreme rain and catastrophic storms on December 28, 2022," said Climatology Researcher, at the Center for Climate Research, and Atmosfir, BRIN, Erma Yulihastin, in his Twitter account.

However, the weather forecast published by BMKG said otherwise. In the morning it is predicted to rain in the Thousand Islands. It's also just light rain. Continuing into the afternoon, almost all areas of Jakarta are flooded with moderate and light rain. Only North Jakarta is thick cloudy. Meanwhile, at night, the entire area will experience rain. But once again, there will be no rain of storms, lightning or storms in the BMKG forecast.

"Based on the BMKG weather forecast on December 28, 2022, generally rain with moderate to heavy intensity. But not a storm," said BMKG Deputy for Meteorology Guswanto in an online press conference in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 27.