Regarding The Establishment Of The TNI Cyber Force, Commission I: If You Want To Add A Matra, Change The Rules First

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI TB Hasanuddin responded to the discourse of forming a cyber force for the TNI that had re-emerged. According to him, there must be a change in the rules if you want to add a new dimension in the TNI.

The discourse of the cyber force itself resurfaced after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) told the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto to form a new dimension in the TNI, namely the cyber dimension. TB Hasanuddin said that current regulations have not allowed cyber units to become separate dimensions outside the Indonesian Air Force, the Indonesian Army, and the Navy.

"The initial concept is not matra. The terms are matra, one of which must have an defense equipment (major tool for the weapon system, ed). If cyber becomes a matra, there is an impression of standing alone," said TB Hasanuddin, Thursday (5/9/2024).

The man who is familiarly called Kang TB added that the formation of a new dimension in the TNI is not an easy thing, considering that in Article 4 Paragraph (1) of Law (UU) Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI it is emphasized that the TNI consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force who carry out their duties in a separate or joint manner under the leadership of the Commander.

Kang TB said, if there is a new dimension formation, the existing regulations must be changed first. In this case, it is by revising the TNI Law.

"If you want to add a new dimension or force, change the rules first," said the retired Major General of the Indonesian Army.

Kang TB also does not agree that this cyber defense force is referred to as an force. Moreover, the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto once stated that cyber forces would be more filled by civilians who have IT capabilities so that the use of the term force was not appropriate.

Jadi bukan angkatan terminya. Tetapi sebuah lembaga yang khusus siber Angkatan Nasional Indonesia. Di negara-negara lain pun begitu, kata Kang TB.

Therefore, the legislator from the West Java IX electoral district said that cyber defense strength is better formed in an institution. Of course, conveyed by Kang TB, with various competencies that are in accordance with cyber defense needs.

"So if it is really needed, the model is still an institution or the main component under the TNI Headquarters which takes care of cyber defense and intelligence," he explained.

Commission I of the DPR as a partner of the TNI in charge of defense affairs also reminded that it is very important that cyber forces are filled with the best human resources (HR) and infrastructure.

"The main conditions must be filled with qualified personnel and the infrastructure must be modern and sophisticated," explained Kang TB.

The formation of cyber troops is very much needed considering the progress of the times that affect national defense. Even so, Kang TB reminded the state to prepare carefully because the formation of cyber troops requires quite complex infrastructure.

"Because the development of technology is very fast and requires a fast adaptation process in terms of human resources, infrastructure, and organization," he concluded.