Prabowo Orders BRIN to Develop Desalination Technology: What Is It For?

August 26, 2026 | 09:02 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to develop domestic technology to convert seawater into drinking water through desalination.

Prabowo issued the instruction during a coordination meeting on disaster response in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Wednesday, August 26, after Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo reported a shortage of clean water on Palue Island in neighboring Sikka Regency.

Palue, a remote island off Flores, was among areas affected by the recent earthquake in NTT.

“I ask BRIN, perhaps together with the Defense University, the military, and engineering faculties, to develop desalination technology that we can build ourselves and immediately send to areas that urgently need it,” Prabowo said during the meeting.

Prabowo said access to water was particularly important for communities affected by disasters, including those on Flores and nearby smaller islands such as Palue.

“Water is very important. So, in addition to short-term measures, we need to think about medium- and long-term efforts,” he said.

Prabowo Calls for Locally Developed Technology

Prabowo said advances in science and technology could make desalination more feasible for use in coastal areas that face limited access to clean water.

“Disasters force us to think more creatively. We realize that for areas like this, we need reforestation and water solutions. Science and technology have produced many technologies that are becoming more affordable,” he said.

Prabowo compared the current cost of desalination technology with three decades ago, when he said it was largely accessible only to wealthier countries.

“Thirty years ago, desalination was unaffordable and only rich countries could do it. Now we can build desalination systems at the village level,” he said.

He said disaster recovery should include measures beyond rebuilding damaged infrastructure, including efforts to improve the productivity and resilience of affected areas.

Prabowo also mentioned potential development of solar power plants and fisheries in NTT as part of longer-term regional development.

“If necessary, we can build solar power plants on unproductive mountains here. How many gigawatts of solar power can we develop here as an energy source for productive economic projects?” he said.

Prabowo said he believed NTT could eventually contribute to Indonesia’s food supply and food exports.

“I am optimistic that this region can eventually become a source of food for the nation and the world,” he said.

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