The Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Laksana Tri Handoko, has stated that BRIN is not involved in politics regarding the 2024 election, despite having a Board of Directors led by a political figure.

"It's been proven that BRIN has not engaged in politics for the past 2.5 years since its separation from the Ministry of Research and Technology," said Laksana Tri Handoko during the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange in Chongqing, China, on Monday (6/11), as quoted from Antara.

According to Article 7 of Presidential Regulation Number 78 of 2021 regarding BRIN, the Chairman of the BRIN Board of Directors ex-officio comes from the Board of Directors of the institution responsible for the government's role in fostering the Pancasila ideology.

This ex-officio role is currently held by Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Chairwoman of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) and also the Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan).

"If someone wanted to get involved in politics, they should have done so 2.5 years ago. Besides, according to the rules of the Director's position, it's not about Bu Mega [Megawati], but ex-officio of the BPIP Chairman. There's also an ex-officio from the Minister of Finance, so we won't be influenced," Handoko added.

Furthermore, the same regulation states that, in carrying out their duties, the Chairman of the Board of Directors is assisted by Special Staff who are ex-officio and not ex-officio, with a maximum of four individuals.

As for the position of Vice Chairman, as stated in Article 7, paragraph (5), it is held ex-officio by the ministers responsible for government affairs in the fields of finance and national development planning.

"I assure you that all candidates support BRIN. Their public statements confirm that. There hasn't been any political fuss about this for a while now, right?" Handoko remarked.

The complete BRIN Board of Directors consists of Megawati Soekarnoputri (Chairwoman), Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the Minister of Finance, and Suharso Monoarfa, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency, serving as Vice Chairpersons. Additionally, businessman Sudhamek Agoeng Waspodo Soenjoto is the Secretary, and the members include technocrat Emil Salim, I Gede Wenten, Bambang Kesowo, Adi Utarini, Marsudi Wahyu Kisworo, and Tri Mumpuni.