There Was A Broken Coordination At The BNPT During The Wiranto Stabbing Incident

Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Komjen Suhardi Alius while attending a work meeting with Commission III of the DPR (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - The head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Komjen Suhardi Alius was attacked by PDI-P politician Marinus Gea during a hearing (RDP) with Commission III. The question is about the existence of the BNPT during the stabbing case of the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto in Pandeglang, Banten, some time ago.

Initially, Marinus explained that Banten is often referred to as a hotbed of terrorists. In history, he said, Tangerang - which is one of the districts in Banten province - has been a hotbed of terrorists for a long time. This also led Marius to ask Suhardi about the relationship between BNPT's handling of the Wiranto case. Moreover, there is a report that states that the State Intelligence Agency has followed the terrorists' movement in Banten.

"I read in the media that BIN knew about and followed this movement three months before this incident. How come I know, but how come it happened? That's a problem, sir," said Marinus, during a meeting at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday, November 21.

Marinus again asked, did BNPT not have the same information, or did not provide information to BIN regarding the existence of a theoretical network in Banten? According to him, BNPT has a very strategic role in dealing with terrorism. As the leading sector in related institutions. Including BIN, Densus 88 from the National Police, including other intelligence agencies.

Suhardi answered that what happened to Wiranto was a changing mode of terrorism. But what needs to be emphasized, coordination has been carried out by BNPT. Instead of explaining, Suhardi threw it at the Deputy for Enforcement.

"It will be explained by our deputy for enforcement, sir, who took to the field," said Suhardi.

Deputy for Enforcement and Capacity Building for the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), Brigadier General Budiono Sandi, said that all information held by the BNPT had been given to the National Police.

"We convey that in the case of the incident Pak Wiranto from BNPT has given input. We input to the Police, especially Densus 88, both in the form of intelligence and other information. Regarding the terrorist network in Pandeglang that has the potential to carry out terrorist attacks."

Budiono

However, according to Budiono, Densus 88 has its own mechanism in taking action against input from various parties. So that the authority to take action lies with the Densus, not the BNPT.

"Earlier you said you had coordinated with Densus 88? Does that mean you have detected that incident?" Marinus asked.

Budiono again replied that his party had given information on the potential terror threat in Pandeglang with the network to the Densus. Feeling dissatisfied with Budiono's answer. Marinus came back with a sharp question.

"But the fact is sir, the Banten Police don't know and the Densus is also not there. There is a friend of mine who is at the location, there is no activity at all to detect it. Does that mean the information was broken or the coordination did not arrive?" Marinus asked.

Unfortunately, Marinus's question was not answered. Budiono looks just silent and looks to his right and left. While waiting for a response from his side.

Head of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) Komjen Suhardi Alius while attending a work meeting with Commission III of the DPR (Mery Handayani / VOI)

BNPT coordination with related institutions

Marinus added that for terrorism cases, BNPT should be able to coordinate with various elements. Moreover, BNPT claims to have collaborated with various elements of society and institutions in the context of preventing terrorism. This information collected should be well processed.

"They are smarter than us. Even though we have luxurious enough facilities to detect terrorism movements. Why is this happening Sir? What form of cooperation is BNPT doing?" he said.

PDIP politicians are surprised that BNPT claims to be monitoring in cyberspace, but cannot follow up on the results of the monitoring. "I thought whether there was no coordination between Pak and Kominfo, as the leading sector? If cooperation has been carried out, I think BNPT has the right to Kominfo for the sake of state security to divert sites (or applications) that interfere and provoke," he said.

Marinus' question was not answered by Budiono. This time, Suhardi explained it. According to him, his institution has actively contributed in preventing acts of terrorism, one of which is in providing information on potential terrorist attacks.

Suhardi revealed that one of the efforts made by BNPT was blocking the communication of the Telegram message application used by the perpetrators.

"This means that we are active, then we tell those who have the authority, but we actually monitor those accounts," Suhardi explained.

Although BNPT has sent information to Densus 88, Suhardi claims his team also continues to take to the field. However, it is true that his party cannot take action because it is not the authority of the institution.

"I said, once there is potential, get down physically to see that."

Suhardi

Suhardi does not want to be seen as cheating, BNPT will still make the attack on Wiranto a lesson so that it does not happen again in the future. Mainly related to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the security of state officials.

"SOP for officials that we have to fix too, sir. There is an official there who will carry out a visit that must also be a concern," he said.