Involve BPPT in DED: VP

Witnessing the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BPPT, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Pertamina on Detailed Engineering Design (DED)

Jakarta. Many foreign experts are involved in the infrastructure planning and development and this has prompted the government to order the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to optimize its role in the field. Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated this when witnessing the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between BPPT, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Pertamina on Detailed Engineering Design today at BPPT office, Jakarta.

Vice President admitted that BPPT’s ineffective role is not caused by BPPT employees but because former government had not given clear directive to the organization. “We have to change this. From now on, BPPT should concern with detailed engineering design,” said Vice President.

This, according to him, is a way to minimize Indonesia’s dependency to foreign labors, as what happened in the past.

Therefore, to revitalize the institution, Mr Kalla asked all BPPT employees to “refresh” their knowledge and expertise.

He then told the attendees to reflect on Singapore whose independence is 20 years behind Indonesia yet its GDP now touches USD 50 thousands, larger than Indonesia.

“Singapore is lack of natural resources, but they applied their knowledge. This is different from us who often study and examine things but seldom apply the finding,” he urged.

He demanded that BPPT which now has 2,427 employees consisting of 1,451 undergraduates, 758 masters and 228 doctors become an effective research body that is result-oriented.

“First of all, we need to find a brand new structure appropriate for BPPT. Make a good planning and evaluate your capability as we want to make this organization a center of idea,” said Mr Kalla.

Vice President also reminded that technology develops rapidy. Information technology, he added, changes even faster, twice every 18 months. “That is why we need to always renew our knowledge, otherwise we will be left behind,” he said.

Prior to the Vice President’s speech, Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Indroyono Soesilo said that the MoU signed at the event is following up president’s directive in the previous cabinet meeting. Detailed engineering design, he continued, is needed to speed up infrastructure development in Indonesia.