Juliari: Research Results Must Be Able to Adapt with Rapid Technological Innovation

YOGYAKARTA (January 23, 2020) - Social Minister Juliari P. Batubara hopes that centres of excellence such as research centres owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs can answer the current problems faced by society. Juliari asked his staff that the results of research and modules from the large education and training centres be truly adaptive to changing times, including the fast pace of technological innovation.

"If we look at the changes currently taking place, it is very much influenced by technology. Like BBPPKS (Center for Social Welfare Education and Training), try to think ahead. How to start adapting to technology. Maybe later the mechanism for distributing social welfare programs that is still manual will be replaced by an application on a cellphone, ” said Juliari during his work visit at the Yogyakarta BBPPKS, Thursday (23/01/2020).

For two days starting Wednesday (22/01/2020), Juliari visited three technical implementing units (UPT) of the Ministry of Social Affairs namely BBPPKS Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Centre for Social Welfare Service, Research and Development (B2P3KS), and Social Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities (BBRSBD) Prof. Dr. Soeharso, Surakarta.

On that occasion, Juliari stated that technology adaptation with social welfare programs also requires synergy with other parties. Therefore, UPT Ministry of Social Affairs such as BBPPKS, B2P3KS, and BBRSBD need to be known and synergize with stakeholders, such as universities, and technology companies.

In another part of his speech, Juliari stated that education, training, research and development are the "brains" of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Juliari reminded that the work of the Ministry of Social Affairs is not easy even though the budget is the sixth largest of all Ministries/Agencies.

"What we are taking care of is not goods, not buildings and bridges. What we take care of and what we build is the human. Therefore, I emphasize that the task of the Ministry of Social Affairs is not only on the distribution of social assistance, but also on how to fix civilization,” said Juliari.

Development is not merely about pursuing economic growth but also its civilization. Juliari gave an example, in a number of developed countries, social welfare service recipients  (PPKS), people with disabilities, elderly who do not have access, or children with special needs, are carried out by the private sector.

"In developed countries the government has not been too involved," he said. In Indonesia, the state, including the Ministry of Social Affairs, is responsible for providing services to PPKS. Therefore, all employees at the Ministry of Social Affairs are required to have the ability to transform, starting with a change in the way employees think.

Juliari also stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs has also anticipated the continuation of national priority programs such as family hope program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT). For this reason, the Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared a legal standard in the form of a draft law (RUU).

"We have put in RUU on social protection and assistance of disaster management. Both of them have entered the national legislation program, meaning that they are included in the priority list of RUU. With the 2 RUU, BPNT and PKH can continue," said Juliari.

Public Relations Bureau