Prabowo calls for fact-based leadership, rejects scapegoating in address to researchers

Call for honest leadership at BRIN meeting

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on government officials and researchers to embrace fact-based governance and confront problems honestly rather than making excuses or blaming others, during a meeting with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.

Speaking to around 150 BRIN researchers, Prabowo emphasized that acknowledging reality is the foundation of effective leadership. "If I lead, I want to lead based on facts, reality, and the actual situation," the president said, adding that recognizing uncomfortable truths is essential for solving national challenges.

Before addressing the researchers, Prabowo toured innovation booths showcasing BRIN's work across aerospace, energy, defense, healthcare, food security, and water treatment technologies, accompanied by BRIN head Arif Satria. The agency presented 15 booths demonstrating research spanning various technology clusters.

World Cup qualification as example

The president illustrated his point by citing Indonesia's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, despite being the world's fourth most populous country with approximately 287.9 million people. Indonesia's only World Cup appearance came in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies, when the team lost 6-0 to Hungary as the first Asian nation to compete at the finals. Since gaining independence, Indonesia has never qualified for the tournament.

"This is what we need to reflect on and examine. In my view, there is no point in complaining. Don't complain and don't look for scapegoats, because that won't help. Instead, we should learn why other countries succeeded. What did they do? Where did their coaches come from? Where did they train their athletes? We need to identify the root causes and then have the courage to take action."

Commitment to science and technology investment

The president announced plans to increase funding for research and innovation, stating that Indonesia's current investment in research and development remains inadequate to support national progress. "A nation that masters science and technology will advance rapidly. The key is science and technology. That is a fact and a reality," he declared.

Prabowo called on BRIN to strengthen strategic research in energy, food, health, and aerospace as part of Indonesia's drive toward greater national self-reliance. According to Satria, the president frequently emphasizes that "mastering technology is a matter of national dignity."

BRIN, established as a cabinet-level government agency on 28 April 2021 through a merger of multiple pre-existing research institutes including LIPI, BATAN, LAPAN, and BPPT, now serves as Indonesia's sole national research agency with over 14,000 employees. The agency gained official cabinet-level status through Presidential Decree No. 78/2021 on 24 August 2021 and reports directly to the president.

Thursday's meeting reflects Prabowo's sustained engagement with Indonesia's scientific community. In late June 2026, he addressed approximately 2,600 academics, researchers, and scientists at the Indonesian Science, Technology and Industry Convention, where he pledged to review reform proposals and committed to regular meetings with academics.

Prabowo, who was inaugurated as Indonesia's eighth president on 20 October 2024 after winning the February election with approximately 58.6 percent of the vote, previously served as Defense Minister from 2019 to 2024 under President Joko Widodo.

The president concluded by urging BRIN researchers to continue producing innovations that support policymaking and address national challenges, emphasizing that science and technology mastery is critical to accelerating Indonesia's development trajectory.