BRIN Chief Stresses Not All Problems Require Advanced Technology

The excellence of an innovation is not only measured by its level of sophistication, but rather by the creativity in solving problems.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria said that not all problems in society must be solved with advanced technology.

At the Indonesia Innovator Award 2026 event in Jakarta on Monday, Arif revealed that simple technology such as rubber shoes without glue and stitching is not arbitrary research, but rather a real solution to answer the needs of underprivileged communities for durable, cheap, and easy-to-maintain footwear.

“We provide technological solutions for you, our friends, our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate, so we must also have empathy for the needs of the community,” he said.

In addition to shoes, Arif highlighted other innovations that are often underestimated, such as technology for making roof tiles from coconut fibre composite, bamboo waste, and palm oil, as well as an organic waste processing machine called Lahsamor. He admitted that he was once mocked because the Lahsamor machine was considered something that could be made by vocational high school (SMK) students.

“I was once mocked, why is BRIN developing Lahsamor? Lahsamor is an organic waste processing machine. SMK students can also do it, that’s true, simple technology anyone can do. But why don’t other people do it? The power of creative ideas, with simple technology can solve problems,” he said.

According to Arif, the excellence of an innovation is not only measured by its level of sophistication, but rather by the creativity in solving problems. He emphasised that simple technology can also be a crucial solution for complex problems such as waste management in Indonesia, as long as it can be disseminated and implemented properly.

“Sometimes people don’t want to have empathy, they want everything to be high technology. Later, if everything is high technology, people will also criticise, why so high? Is it for the people?” he continued.

Therefore, BRIN will continue to develop innovations in stages (multi-level), from simple technology to advanced technology. All of this is done with one ultimate goal, namely to provide maximum benefit to the wider community.

“Once again, high technology, advanced technology, its orientation remains on benefit. We do not avoid simple technology, as long as it is something that has never existed before, which is the creativity of our researchers. So we must continue to appreciate researchers who work with this multi-level technology, what matters is solving problems,” concluded Arif Satria.