March 26, 2025 | 05:32 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Brigadier General Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Information Bureau at the Defense Ministry, stated that the Indonesian Military (TNI) will conduct information and disinformation operations to counter threats to national sovereignty in cyberspace. These operations will target groups aiming to undermine public trust in defense institutions and the government.
"Even those potentially causing division in the nation," said Frega to Tempo on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
This action follows the TNI's expanded role in addressing cyber threats, as outlined in the recently ratified TNI Law on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
In military terms, Frega explained, the TNI will address attacks on defense systems and military commands within cyberspace. These threats include hacking, digital sabotage, and the theft of strategic data.
Furthermore, the military will address threats to critical national infrastructure, such as attacks on electricity and telecommunication networks. "Also addressing transportation and several others that can impact national stability," he said.
Frega added that the military will also counter cyber attacks from state or non-state actors that threaten national security. These attacks may involve espionage or cyber warfare.
According to him, the revision of the TNI Law to include cyber threat response within Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) addresses evolving technology and global threats. In this context, the TNI will play a role in defending against cyber attacks that threaten national defense, encompassing both national security and military operations.
"This aims to protect vital defense infrastructure and support national security stability, including in a digital context. Cyberspace has become an important domain in military operations," he said.
The revision of Law No. 34 of 2004 concerning the Indonesian Military (TNI Law) was ratified during a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The revisions include changes to TNI coordination, the addition of MOOTW roles such as addressing cyber threats, the inclusion of civilian positions for active TNI members, and adjustments to military service and retirement age limits.
The ratification of the TNI Law revision occurred amid objections from various groups, including civil society and students. These groups criticized the expedited deliberation process and the lack of public participation. They also expressed concern about the military occupying civilian positions, urging the TNI to remain within military domains.
Nenden Sekar Arum, Executive Director of SAFEnet, stated that the revision threatens the digital space for civil society. Nenden rejects this TNI Law, arguing that it could reinstate military dominance in Indonesia.
"Rejecting the expansion of the TNI's function in the civilian domain, including digital space, because it will reinstate militarism in Indonesia," said Nenden in her written statement on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
Nenden warned that the TNI's involvement in cyberspace could be misused, leading to the militarization of the digital space. This militarization could result in coercive policies, such as censorship, information operations, and stricter regulations on online expression," she said.
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