Indonesian Government Boosts Research Budget for Direct Public Impact

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia's State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, announced during a press briefing on Sunday, June 28, 2026, that the Indonesian government is increasing the national budget for research and innovation to directly benefit society. His announcement followed the closing of the 2026 Indonesian Science, Technology, and Industry Convention National Forum at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC).

He stated that the government is boosting the national research budget by Rp4 trillion or approximately $224.2 million. This decision follows specific directives from President Prabowo Subianto during a previous palace meeting.

Hadi said, “At a previous meeting at the Palace, the President had already given instructions to increase our research budget to 4 trillion rupiah.”

The State Secretary further conveyed that all national research must now align with a single grand design. This approach ensures that scientists and innovators work collaboratively toward the same national goals.

“First, all the research we are currently conducting must be part of a single grand design. Second, the research we conduct is expected to have an immediate impact on solving the problems we face,” he said.

Some specific examples of priority research include turning waste into useful energy. Another key focus is transitioning public energy use from LPG to CNG.

“For example, research on waste, waste-to-energy, and the transition from LPG to CNG, research that has a direct impact on solving the problems we face,” the Minister stated.

Furthermore, the Minister of State Secretary added that President Prabowo Subianto views university leaders and professors as the nation’s brightest assets. He believes the academic community holds the key to major national development.