TNI Anticipates Terrorism Threats During The 43rd ASEAN Summit

TNI Commander Admiral Yudo Margono and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo gave a press statement after the ASEAN 43rd Summit Security Forces were held at Monas, Jakarta, Friday (1/9/2023). ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty

JAKARTA - Ahead and during the 43rd ASEAN Summit (KTT) in Jakarta 5-7 September, the TNI ensures security and security to anticipate potential threats of terrorism.

The Commander of the Joint Defense Region I Command of the TNI, Vice Admiral TNI Erwin S. Aldedharma said that although the threat of terrorism was not on a threatening scale, his party was still taking anticipatory steps.

"We cannot eliminate the threat of terrorists at all, but if we look at the development of this situation and the dynamics behind it, we can still tolerate and anticipate it, not be on a threatening scale," Erwin said in a discussion entitled "Road to ASEAN Summit 2023: Security for the 43rd ASEAN Summit" organized by the 9th Merdeka Forum (FMB9), in Jakarta reported by ANTARA, Friday, September 1.

Ahead of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, he said, the TNI and the Police had coordinated security preparations with a number of relevant agencies, one of which was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent various potential threats.

Coordination and collaboration are carried out in collecting data. Data collection aims to measure the standards and readiness of personnel and materials in securing the 43rd ASEAN Summit.

"This is also the standard for us, how far we have prepared our security personnel and materials. Hopefully the data and information we get are accurate and mitigation can also be right on target," he hoped.

Erwin explained that the distribution of Ring 1, Ring 2, and Ring 3 security has been arranged in such a way, where Ring 1 physically adheres to the VVIP delegation, both when carrying out activities at the activity venue and during movement.

"Ring 1 clearly has the highest level of security. No one can enter, no one can approach it other than what has been determined," he said.

For Ring 2, he continued, there are still elements of the TNI and Polri that carry out security, and it has also been determined who can enter there, through the identity card that has been given.

As for Ring 3, the TNI and Polri collaborate to secure buffer areas close to Jakarta and become a special point of concern for security.

The success of securing the G-20 Summit in Bali last year, as well as the ASEAN Summit in Labuhan Bajo, is an important experience for Indonesia to have organized a number of regional and international level events.

He said, Indonesia also has security standards for international activities involving heads of state and VVIP guests, so the authorities just need to follow these security standards.

"It is only possible because of the current implementation in Jakarta - with its complexity - a special thing that we need to prepare," he said.

According to him, this readiness includes understanding what and who the guests will attend. So that security officers can adjust the situation of each country to the security standards and demands as well as the expectations that the delegation wants while in Jakarta.

In addition, he said, the TNI and the Police also continue to pay attention to the current situation in the ASEAN region. In general, regional situations are still at a conducive level during Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN. This is proven in several activities held in a number of ASEAN countries that run safely and smoothly.

"Regional situation, we continue to map the situation, mitigate the necessary things, so as not to interfere," he said.

In general, the situation at the regional level is quite safe, although it is undeniable that there are dynamics in a number of countries.

"But it doesn't interfere with the events being held," he said.

In anticipating this terrorism, the TNI continues to coordinate with the National Police, BSSN and BIN for physical security and in cyberspace. Including coordinating and communicating with security forces from state guests.

In addition to personnel, the TNI has also prepared defense equipment to secure the 43rd ASEAN Summit from land, sea and air aspects around the location of the event.

There are at least two things that are of concern to the security team, namely the arrangement for the arrival of the departure of the delegation transport vehicle at the venue and assistance for emergency medical equipment.

Due to the experience of previous events, there were delegations of friendly countries who were present suddenly dropped their health conditions.

"Of course we always hope that all delegates are in good health. But we reflect on the G20 when a delegation of friendly countries suddenly dropped and needed immediate treatment. This is a note for us to prepare medical assistance," said Erwin.