Prabowo pushes BRIN to advance energy, food, and aerospace research

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20 minutes ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Prabowo Subianto has called on the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to strengthen strategic research in energy, food, health, and aerospace as part of Indonesia’s drive toward greater national self-reliance.

Speaking after a meeting between President Prabowo and BRIN researchers in Jakarta on Thursday, BRIN Head Arif Satria said the President had placed strong emphasis on developing technologies capable of enhancing Indonesia’s resilience amid evolving global challenges, particularly in the energy sector.

“BRIN has been instructed to continue studying pathways toward energy sovereignty and self-reliance because we cannot depend on foreign countries,” Satria said.

According to him, President Prabowo specifically directed BRIN to examine various national energy policy scenarios, including the implementation of B60 and B100 biodiesel blends, as well as E30 bioethanol.

“We have been asked to comprehensively assess the implications of implementing B60, B100, and E30 so that the government has a solid scientific basis for future energy policies,” he explained.

Satria also noted that the President paid close attention to the development of Adsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) technology, which has been developed by BRIN to optimize the utilization of Indonesia’s domestic natural gas resources.

He said the technology has the potential to reduce the country’s reliance on LPG imports while cutting energy subsidy costs by an estimated Rp26 trillion (approximately US$1.6 billion) annually if implemented on a large scale.

In the aerospace sector, Satria said President Prabowo also highlighted the development of the N219 aircraft, a collaborative project between BRIN and state-owned aircraft manufacturer Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI).

Beyond energy, the President also expressed interest in the broader application of nuclear technology.

BRIN has developed radiopharmaceutical technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment, food irradiation technology to extend the shelf life of export commodities, and various other innovations supporting healthcare and food security.

According to Satria, the President’s strong interest in these research initiatives reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s scientific and technological capabilities as the foundation for national self-reliance.

“He always says that mastering technology is a matter of national dignity,” Satria remarked.