BIN pushes for enactment of Espionage and Foreign Interference Prevention Law
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), General (Ret.) Muhammad Herindra, has emphasised the importance of strengthening the national legal framework to confront the growing threats of espionage and foreign interference amid global geopolitical competition through the enactment of a Law on the Prevention of Espionage and Foreign Interference.
“Indonesia must not be too naive. We must remain open, but that openness must be accompanied by vigilance and firmness in safeguarding national interests,” said Muhammad Herindra at a National Seminar in Jakarta on Thursday.
The seminar, titled “Sovereignty on the Front Line: National Policy on Countering Espionage and Foreign Interference”, was organised by the ASEAN Study Centre (ASC) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia (FISIP UI). It featured a number of speakers including Nurul Arifin, Major General Ari Yulianto, Andi Widjajanto, Ardi Sutedja, Christopher Hariman Rianto, Nobuhiro Aizawa, and Ken Conboy.
According to Herindra, such activities often operate in grey areas, making them difficult to reach with conventional legal instruments. He believes Indonesia requires clear regulation to strengthen the protection of national strategic interests.
He assessed that the idea of a Law on the Prevention of Espionage and Foreign Interference needs to be studied comprehensively while maintaining a balance between state security, democracy, and civil liberties.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening counter-intelligence and inter-agency coordination in detecting various forms of foreign influence that could potentially disrupt sovereignty and the safety of citizens.
He said universities must be able to make a real contribution through studies and policy recommendations for the state.
“What is the point of being an ivory tower if it is of no use to society and the state?” said Evi. She expressed hope that the forum would produce constructive views from various political, economic, security, and social perspectives.
The seminar brought together academics, practitioners, government officials, parliamentarians, and experts from home and abroad.
ASC FISIP UI encouraged cross-stakeholder dialogue to formulate a national policy that is adaptive to the evolving threats of espionage, foreign interference, cyber security, and global geopolitical dynamics, while remaining grounded in the principles of democracy and national interest.