Head Of BIN Says IKN Transfer Affects Defense Strengthening

Budi Gunawan/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Gen. Pol. Purn Budi Gunawan said the relocation of the State Capital (IKN) from Jakarta to East Kalimantan had implications for strengthening defense.

"From the geostrategic aspect, Indonesia will have a deeper strategic depth considering that Kalimantan Island has an area of ​​6 times the island of Java," said Budi Gunawan in a press release, in Jakarta, Thursday, February 10.

In addition, he continued, it would allow the establishment of an integrated defense industry cluster as a condition for the realization of "indigenous defense productions" or the production of self-made defense equipment made in the country.

"This will allow Indonesia to take advantage of geopolitical dynamics in the Indo Pacific by rowing between regional alliances such as the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA), AUKUS, and China's OBOR/BRI," explained Budi Gunawan.

The formation of AUKUS, as well as the presence of the strength of several NATO members in the region, further emphasizes that the geopolitical constellation of the powers of countries in the world is shifting to Asia Pacific.

"This is a strong signal for countries in the region, including Indonesia, to prevent and at the same time prepare for an escalation up to the worst possible occurrence of open war as in the classic adage, namely Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum (if you want peace, be prepared for war)," he said.

He said, although the US, UK, and Australia officially announced the establishment of AUKUS to promote security stability in the Indo Pacific region and not to violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in the region, there is no guarantee that nuclear submarines will not go back and forth in ALKI and Indonesian Territorial Sea.

Therefore, Indonesia needs to play an active role in strengthening defense diplomacy in the region which aims to increase mutual trust (confidence building measures) and capacity building (capacity building).

This is because Indonesia has a unique position because it has various strategic cooperations in the economic, maritime, and security fields, both with AUKUS member countries, FPDA, and China.

This uniqueness can be an advantage for Indonesia to play a diplomatic role, either to encourage ASEAN to make a "Joint Statement", or independently to ensure that all parties do not trigger open conflicts and arms races in the region.

In particular, in complying with the obligation to maintain a nuclear-free area, maintain security stability and respect international law, including the United Nations Convention on the International Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"On the other hand, the transfer of the IKN is also Indonesia's momentum to gain strength in tightening guard in the ALKI area and the waters bordering the Indo Pacific region. This is important to emphasize and strengthen Indonesia's defense diplomacy attitude and efforts to respond to the dynamics of the latest strategic environment in Indonesia region, as well as protecting national interests," said Budi Gunawan.