BNPT stresses energy ecosystem must receive full state protection
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Eddy Hartono has stressed that the entire energy ecosystem and sector in Indonesia must receive full protection from the state.
“Energy is the main driver supporting the wheels of government, defence, the economy, transportation and telecommunications, whose utilisation is aimed at the greatest possible prosperity for the community,” Eddy said when confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday.
He said the energy ecosystem is the lifeblood of the nation, so protection of strategic energy infrastructure is included in national preparedness activities.
He said that thorough preparedness and cross-sector collaboration are very important to strengthen national resilience.
In the context of national resilience policy, the Head of BNPT said national preparedness and cross-sector collaboration are crucial in strengthening national resilience.
Eddy also emphasised that preparedness measures are in line with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto, who is targeting the achievement of national energy self-sufficiency.
He explained that BNPT does not only focus on the physical security aspects of national vital objects, but also builds a prevention system involving ministries, agencies, regional governments, business actors, security forces and the community.
One concrete implementation is carried out through BNPT’s cooperation with PLTU Indonesia Power in Pandeglang, Banten, which integrates improving minimum security standards for strategic vital objects with strengthening early detection and building community resilience through the Desa Siapsiaga (Prepared Village) programme.
The programme also provides economic empowerment for the community and deradicalisation partners through training on utilising coal ash waste into paving blocks.
In addition to improving community welfare, the programme strengthens social reintegration while reducing potential vulnerability to the influence of violent ideologies.
To provide education on the importance of protecting the energy sector, BNPT has also provided briefings in the implementation of the National Leadership Preparation and Consolidation Education (P4N) Batch LXX (70) at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Jakarta, on Monday (3/8).
On that occasion, one of the P4N Batch 70 participants, Infantry Colonel Imam Sujali, said threats to vital objects are now not only in the form of physical attacks, but also through psychological manipulation that can encourage individuals to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Changes in emotions and attitudes are often used by terrorism-driving actors to brainwash vulnerable members of society into carrying out acts of sabotage desired by terrorist groups at strategic locations, such as oil refineries and other energy infrastructure. Therefore, this needs to be anticipated together,” Imam said.
The briefing activity had the theme Strengthening National Vigilance in Facing the Threat of Terrorism Against Strategic Energy Infrastructure to Strengthen Energy Resilience in the Context of National Resilience.
The agenda was attended by 110 participants from the TNI, Polri, ministries, state institutions, regional governments, universities and community organisations, as part of BNPT’s efforts to expand national capacity in protecting strategic vital objects.
Through the briefing, BNPT hopes to produce cross-sector leaders who are able to integrate vital object security, early detection and inter-agency collaboration so that national energy resilience becomes stronger in facing various forms of threats.