BRIN Chief Reveals Prabowo's Interest in Locally Made Shoes, Orders Further Development

National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Chief Arif Satria has revealed that President Prabowo Subianto is interested in the shoe industry developed by his agency. Arif disclosed Prabowo’s directive for the shoes to be continuously developed.

‘One more thing, the President was also very interested in these shoes. These are shoes, rubber shoes,’ Arif told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday (6/8/2026).

Arif explained that his agency is developing school shoes made from local rubber and palm oil waste. The technology used is one-piece injection moulding, meaning the upper and sole are fused without adhesive and can be produced consistently.

‘The price is very cheap, less than Rp 75,000. There is an even cheaper shoe priced at Rp 47,000, the one worn by the Vice Chief earlier was Rp 47,000, made from palm oil waste. That one is even cheaper,’ he said.

Arif then revealed Prabowo’s directive for the shoe industry to be continuously developed. ‘So the President earlier conveyed that this shoe industry is a people’s industry that must also be developed,’ he stated.

It is known that the shoe industry products were displayed at a research exhibition by BRIN researchers at the Palace in Jakarta. Prabowo was seen holding several of the shoes on display and bending them to test their strength.