Law No 11 Year 2019 regarding National System on Science and Technology prevailing since 13 August 2019 has actually sparked anxiety among researchers, particularly regarding foreign researchers working in Indonesia.
Rumours said foreign researchers in Indonesia would be sanctioned, but as a matter of fact, the rule says that only illegal researchers would be sanctioned.
“Those stated in the Law are foreign researchers who came without a permit. First, they will be put on a blacklist and then deported. If they come again without a permit, they would be fined up to IDR4 billion and not permitted to do research up to a duration of 5 years,” said Dr. Muhammad Dimyati, at UGM Graduate School on Friday (23/8) in a discussion on the National System related to foreign researchers.
The Directorate General for Research and Development said all researchers coming to Indonesia must get a permit. In principle, the government asks researchers to follow the rules. Regarding biodiversity owned by Indonesia to be used for research, both Indonesian and foreign researchers have the duty to submit agreement and documents in advance.
In short, the Law allows people with research method capacities to finding new things and becoming professional researchers.
UGM Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Paripurna, S.H., M.Hum., LL.M., added the researchers in Indonesia were currently holding plenty of joint research and joint publication with foreign researchers. There are in fact many ideas and experiences arising from both of them of which cooperation can be made.
“The researchers from developed countries have obviously more advanced technologies so the joint research and joint publication will certainly very help our ranking,” he said.