Susilo calls on Lemhanas to come down to earth

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Perhaps for the first time in the 40 years of its existence, the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) got a rap across the knuckles from its chief supervisor, the President.

Speaking in his address to attendees at a Lemhannas course, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the institute tended to conduct theoretical research and studies that had no practical application.

"I want Lemhannas to stop producing complicated output that can be used neither by the government nor the public. The institute must think of simple but applicable research and study," said Susilo, who is a graduate of the institute.

Lemhannas organizes annual courses for candidates for top government and military posts, who discuss various matters and conduct research during their month-long attendance.

The government has in fact heeded recommendations proposed by the institute quite often, including the changes to the general elections system and the national defense strategy that places priority on securing national borders.

During the ceremony, Susilo emphasized the need for Lemhannas to seriously study how Indonesia could cope with the changing world, such as the clash of civilizations and the trend toward regionalism.

"Lemhannas should now start studying possible key roles that Indonesia could play on regional fronts, and how we can influence the world," he said.

Lemhannas Governor Ermaya Suriadinata considered the President's criticism cause for introspection and promised it would produce more work that benefited the public.

"We acknowledge that we have conducted a number of useless studies in the past. But with the President's input, we will try to improve our performance and make our output more useful to the public," said Ermaya.

Critics have urged the government to dissolve the institute, saying it is a waste of state funds.

Ermaya, however, rejected this, saying the institute was still needed to help train future leaders and bureaucrats on nationalism and leadership.

"Activities in the institute are not a waste of money at all. It is still useful for those who will be taking up high government positions," said Ermaya.

According to Ermaya, every year Lemhanas is allocated some Rp 16 billion (US$1.68 million) from the state budget for development expenses, and Rp 35 billion for routine operational expenditures.