Megawati Once Reprimanded a BRIN Researcher: Don't Work Just to Chase Degrees

Jakarta - Former Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, admitted to having once reprimanded a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) who was intelligent. However, that BRIN researcher worked only to obtain degrees, not to serve Indonesia. “Because I am also at BRIN, the National Research and Innovation Agency. How many researchers are there? 8,144. I said, you are a smart person, work for Indonesia,” Megawati stated during her speech at the Conferment of Emeritus Professor Title for former Constitutional Court Justice Arief Hidayat at Borobudur University, Jakarta, on Saturday (2/5/2026). “Don’t just chase, with a thousand apologies, don’t just chase degrees or produce journals,” Mega continued. She admitted knowing that there was a BRIN researcher who questioned her competence to serve as Chair of the Supervisory Board. “They were stunned. When you see me, why was Mother made the chair? Well, that forced me to boast. You (the researcher) can challenge me if you want. I am a triple professor, and these (honorary degrees) 11. Go ahead (if you want to challenge),” said Megawati. “Because many smart people, but this (pointing to the heart) is not steadfast,” Megawati added. On Saturday (2/5/2026), Megawati attended the conferment of the Emeritus Professor title in the field of Constitutional Law from Borobudur University to former Constitutional Court Justice Arief Hidayat. Several officials and former state leaders were present at the event, such as former Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Mahfud MD; former Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly; and Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Asep Nana Mulyana. Meanwhile, several former Constitutional Court justices who were Arief’s colleagues were also seen, such as Suhartoyo and Saldi Isra.