BRIN Develops Rubber Shoes for Rp80,000, President Prabowo Places Order

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia has developed rubber shoes with an affordable price tag, reportedly costing less than Rp80,000. BRIN Head Arif Satria revealed that President Prabowo has expressed strong interest and even placed an order for these locally produced footwear. Arif Satria stated that the shoes are a product of BRIN's research in Serpong, emphasizing their domestic origin. The price varies between Rp75,000 and over Rp100,000 depending on the motif and materials used, but the core price point is under Rp80,000. BRIN is currently seeking industrial partners to scale up production. The agency's future direction for these shoes is to help meet the footwear needs of students in 'Sekolah Rakyat' (People's Schools). This development was shared during a meeting where approximately 150 BRIN researchers presented their findings to President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The researchers showcased their work across 12 clusters, including food, energy, support for fishing villages, space, aviation, nuclear research, rare earth metals, housing, transportation, and health, aiming to solve national problems. BRIN's initiative to produce affordable footwear aligns with its broader mission to support domestic industries and improve the quality of life for its citizens. The focus on educational support also suggests potential synergy with Indonesia's social welfare policies. Information Source: CNN Indonesia