Herindra Becomes A New Candidate For KaBIN, Puan: Thank You To Budi Gunawan

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The DPR officially approved Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra as a candidate for the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (KaBIN) replacing Budi Gunawan in today's Plenary Meeting. The chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, also expressed his appreciation for Budi Gunawan's performance during his time as Head of BIN.

The DPR Plenary Meeting on the consideration of the dismissal and appointment of the Head of BIN was held at the Nusantara II Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (17/10/2024). While chairing the Plenary Meeting, Puan was accompanied by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Adies Kadir, Saan Mustopa, and Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal.

Today's Plenary Meeting has an agenda, namely the DPR RI Team Report on the Granting of Considerations for Dismissal and Appointment of Head of BIN on the Results of Discussion on Consideration of Dismissal and Appointment of Head of BIN. Based on the provisions of Article 36 paragraph (1) of Law Number 17 of 2011 concerning State Intelligence, KaBIN was appointed and dismissed by the President after receiving DPR considerations.

The DPR, through a team containing the leadership of the DPR and the leadership of the faction, has carried out a fit and proper test or fit and proper test on Herindra on Wednesday (16/10). As a result, Herindra, who is currently still serving as Deputy Minister of Defense (Wamenhan), is considered worthy of replacing Budi Gunawan as Head of BIN.

The fit and proper test results report against Herindra was read by Sufmi Dasco as Deputy Chairman of the DPR Coordinator for Political and Human Rights.

"That the candidate for the Head of BIN, Brother Muhammad Herindra, deserves to be the Head of BIN to replace Brother Budi Gunawan. Furthermore, the decision of the DPR RI Team was reported at today's plenary meeting in accordance with the decision of the dpr leadership consultation meeting with the factions on October 14, 2024," Dasco said to applause from the members of the council.

After the report on the results of the fit and proper test was read, Puan then asked for approval from members of the DPR.

"Is it the report of the DPR RI Team that decides that Brother Muhammad Herindra is worthy as Head of the State Intelligence Agency to replace Brother Budi Gunawan, can it be approved?" asked the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

"Agreed!" The answer of the council members simultaneously followed by Puan's hammering sign of ratification of the decision.

Herindra, who was present at the DPR Plenary Meeting, was founded when his name was summoned after the ratification of the results of the fit and proper test.

Puan then congratulated Herindra as a candidate for KaBIN. He also gave a message to the former Danjen Kopassus.

"The leadership of the Council congratulates the Candidate for the Head of the State Intelligence Agency, hopefully it can carry out the functions and activities of state intelligence with full responsibility, professionalism and integrity," said Puan.

Furthermore, the first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives gave her appreciation to Budi Gunawan for her performance. Puan said the DPR was grateful for Budi Gunawan's dedication during his time as Head of BIN.

"Leaders and members of the Council also express their highest appreciation and appreciation and gratitude to the General of the Police. (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Budi Gunawan, for his dedication and cooperation in building the professionalism of state intelligence and extraordinary contributions in maintaining national security stability," he said.

The considerations from the DPR were made after President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) sent Presidential Letter Number R-51/Pres/10/2024 dated October 10, 2024 regarding the Application for Consideration for Dismissal and Appointment of the Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).

In his letter, Jokowi only included one name to replace Budi Gunawan alias the sole candidate for Head of BIN, namely Herindra. Later, Herindra will be sworn in by Prabowo Subianto after Prabowo officially becomes president. Prabowo will be sworn in as President on October 20.

After the Plenary Meeting, Puan explained that the results of the DPR's decision regarding the consideration of changing the KaBIN would be submitted to the Government.

"After being approved by the Plenary Meeting, the mechanism process is then we will send a letter to the president regarding this approval," explained Puan.

"Regarding the inauguration, of course we will leave it to the government, please when will it be inaugurated," continued Bung Karno's grandson.

Prabowo is rumored to be inaugurating his cabinet ranks on Monday (21/10). This means that ministers and institutional leaders under the Prabowo administration will be sworn in the day after the inauguration of the elected president.