Megawati Hopes That Indonesian Plant Seeds Are Recorded In Detail To Prevent Being Traded To Foreigners

Chairman of the BRIN Steering Committee Megawati Soekarnoputri (left) together with the Head of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko (left second) visited the Candikuning Botanical Gardens, Tabanan, Bali, Monday (7/8/2023). (ANTARA/HO-BRIN)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Technology Agency (BRIN) Megawati Soekarnoputri wants plant seeds in Indonesia to be recorded in detail so that they are not easily traded to foreign parties.

"If there are foreigners who take it, they must be said here (strengthening the shoulders of BRIN's head). There is no immediate buying here," he said in BRIN's statement, Monday, August 7, confiscated by Antara. Megawati while visiting Kaca Kactus Greenhouse and Orchid House which are in the Candikuning Botanical Gardens, Baturiti, Tabanan, Bali hopes that BRIN can play a role in the data collection of plant seeds so that there are no more foreigners who are easy to trade native Indonesian plant seeds, especially orchids. When they are in a cactus greenhouse and orchid home, Megawati pays attention to a plant that is in the pot by cleverness. A researcher then said that Megawati's plant came from Vietnam, even though the same plant distribution was found in Sumatra. "This is the origin of Vietnam, but the distribution is fragrant in Sumatra. The flowers are fragrant. This is what I am working on, but the distribution is only in Sumatra," said the researcher. Megawati seemed not to accept when the plant was said to come from Vietnam. Moreover, the same plant distribution was widely found on the island of Sumatra. "Oh, there is that? Don't say that from Vietnam, if so," he said. Megawati was in a cactus greenhouse and orchid house during a working visit of BRIN ranks to the Science and Technology Region, Candikuning Botan, Taban, Bali. The 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia was welcomed by the Governor of Bali I Wayan Koster, Regent of Tabanan I Komang Gede Sanjaya to the Regent of Klungkung I Nyoman Suwirta. Before Megawati was present, a number of BRIN Steering Committees had already arrived, namely Deputy Chairpersons of the BRIN Steering Committee Sri Mulyani and Suharso Monoarfa. Then, Member of the BRIN Steering Committee Emil Salim and Bambang Kesowo. In addition, the Head of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko and Deputy Head of BRIN Amarulla Octavian were also seen to be present at the location of the event.