VP Debate; Ma'ruf Amin says would Build National Research Agency

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During the vice presidential debate on March 17, 2019, candidate Number 01 Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin said that he would create a new institution, namely the National Research Agency to manage research funds in Indonesia.

"Later on, we will unite the research funds to be coordinated and we will form a National Research Agency," said Ma'ruf Amin in the Debate Candidate for Vice-President at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Sunday, March 17, 2019.

According to him, currently the allocation of research funds is spread across various Ministries and Institutions. In fact, to develop research, all funds must be well coordinated.

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With the existence of the new institution, Ma'ruf Amin said he would maximize the National Research Master Plan. Thus research in Indonesia can become more effective.

"We also agreed to prepare a research endowment fund, in addition to the endowment of education and culture," he said. The program is believed to be able to advance research and impact the advancement of the country.

The idea was criticized by Ma'ruf Amin's opponent, Sandiaga Uno. Sandiaga said that adding new institutions would add to the bureaucratic path. According to him, the key to the effectiveness of research funds is collaboration between parties. "If we are going to make sure the business world gets both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives if it invests in research," he said.

In addition, Sandiaga Uno also said that he would guarantee that the research carried out by researchers at the university would be used and not only pile up. He will guarantee the research ecosystem to create innovation in various fields.

CAESAR AKBAR