Defense Minister Sjafrie: The Formation Of The TNI Cyber Force Needs To Be Viewed Proportionally

TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto together with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Nailin In Saroh/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin assessed that the proposed formation of the cyber force as the fourth dimension of the TNI must be considered carefully and proportionally. Nevertheless, he revealed that the discourse received serious attention from the Ministry of Defense.

"The cyber is also of concern, but we have to look at it proportionally, that cyber is needed," said Sjafrie at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, November 25.

However, Sjafrie has not provided a firm answer regarding whether the formation of the TNI cyber dimension will be carried out in the era of the Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka governments. He stated that currently his government has not yet reached the stage of the plan to form the cyber dimension.

"We haven't gotten there yet," Sjafrie added.

Nevertheless, Sjafrie ensured that the Ministry of Defense had formed a Cyber Defense Center to deal with various needs related to threats in cyberspace.

"At the Ministry of Defense, we have formed a Cyber Defense Center and also the TNI Headquarters has shown a cyber unit, and we will fulfill its needs," he explained.

The discourse on the formation of the TNI cyber dimension was first conveyed by the Chairperson of the MPR for the 2019-2024 period, Bambang Soesatyo, in a state speech at the MPR Annual Session on Friday (16/8/2024). In his speech, Bambang stated that it was time for Indonesia to form a cyber force as the fourth dimension of the TNI.

"It is time for Indonesia to immediately prepare for the formation of the fourth dimension of the Indonesian National Army by presenting a cyber force," said Bambang at the time.