President Prabowo Enthusiastically Reviews BRIN's Research and Technology Advancements

President Prabowo Subianto toured the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, August 6, for over an hour to directly observe a number of research findings and innovations from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). More than 150 researchers and scientists from various regions across Indonesia exhibited and personally explained their research findings and innovations to President Prabowo at the Palace. Most of the research results displayed at the Palace today largely support President Prabowo's priority government programs, including the giant sea wall, Nutritious Free Meals (MBG), People's School (SR), roof tile (gentengisasi) initiatives, waste processing, and other programs such as energy independence, food security, defense and security, and the three-million-house program. Quoting Antara, President Prabowo, accompanied by BRIN Head Arif Satria and Deputy Head Amarulla Octavian, first visited the Aerospace and Space Technology booth. Researchers at this station explained the technology behind Indonesian-made satellite cameras. These devices were built in BRIN's laboratory in Bogor, West Java, and have been used for mapping, including mapping disaster impacts. Subsequently, the President examined three technologies that could support the giant sea wall program, including a multi-functional vertical breakwater that generates electricity, and wave breakers that have already been installed on several Indonesian beaches. At the Nuclear Technology booth, President Prabowo paused for a considerable time, engaging in conversations with several accompanying ministers. Among them were Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid, Head of the North Coast of Java Development Authority Didit Herdiawan Ashaf, and CTO of Danantara Sigit P. Santosa. Researchers at BRIN working on nuclear technology explained to the President that they are ready to support the government's plan to build a nuclear power plant (PLTN). A BRIN researcher stated that Indonesia has potential reserves of up to 89,000 tons of Uranium and 143,000 tons of Thorium. On the same occasion, the researcher explained that BRIN researchers have succeeded in refining Uranium up to 60 percent. "This is our capability to refine uranium up to 60 percent," said the BRIN researcher. Prabowo then quickly asked the researcher to turn off the microphone. The BRIN researcher continued the explanation without a microphone, and their subsequent remarks were no longer audible. Prabowo appeared enthusiastic listening to the explanation about nuclear technology. A total of 15 booths covering various fields of research and innovation were visited by the President today. These booths are derivatives of eight national research agendas, encompassing aerospace and space exploration, water resilience, nuclear energy, energy and minerals, environment and waste management, housing and disaster management, health, transportation, MBG, food and agriculture, education, fisheries, defense and security, and cultural heritage preservation. On a separate occasion, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, who also serves as the Presidential Spokesperson, explained that the research results displayed at the Palace today are not merely a showcase. "This signifies that Indonesia has the real capacity to independently address the nation's strategic needs, especially in strategic fields such as food, energy, water, health, defense, and national industrialization," said Prasetyo Hadi. Source: CNN Indonesia