UI Expert Says Indonesia Will Be an Easy Target for Foreign Intelligence If It Does Not Do This

A lecturer from the National Resilience Studies Programme at the University of Indonesia’s School of Sustainable Development Postgraduate Programme, Stanislaus Riyanta, has called for bolstering national counter-intelligence to address potential foreign threats. “Building a counter-intelligence body is crucial to prevent threats,” Stanislaus stated in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4/2026). He made these remarks during the Intelligence Governance Seminar on Facing Geopolitical Uncertainties and Asymmetric Threats, organised by the School of Sustainable Development at the IASTH Building, University of Indonesia, Salemba, Jakarta. He explained that foreign threats arise from domestic security vulnerabilities and a country’s strategic attractions. According to him, Indonesia cannot eliminate these attractions, so the most realistic step is to strengthen security systems, including enhancing counter-intelligence functions. Stanislaus assessed that counter-intelligence functions in Indonesia are currently dispersed across several agencies, such as the State Intelligence Agency and the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency, but not yet integrated into a dedicated body. “BIN has a Deputy for Counter-Intelligence, and BAIS does too. Their roles just need to be strengthened to prevent threats,” he said. He added that strengthening counter-intelligence is vital amid global dynamics and rising foreign intelligence activities, which have been detected in various regions, including strategic areas like Bali. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of improving detection and early prevention capacities as part of efforts to maintain national security from non-conventional threats. “The most important thing is to enhance the security system,” he said. Stanislaus hopes the government will consider establishing or strengthening counter-intelligence institutions more comprehensively, as part of a strategy to maintain sovereignty and protect national interests.