Get to know the 3 intelligence agencies in Indonesia, what are their missions?

JAKARTA – There are several names intelligence agency in Indonesia which is already well known to the public. One of them is the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) .

Like other countries, Indonesia also has intelligence agencies. The tasks themselves can be different from one to another.

In general, the public may already know a number of intelligence agencies in Indonesia, such as BIN, BAIS, and Baintelkam. To know more about it, see the following review.

Intelligence Agency in Indonesia

1. State Intelligence Agency (BIN)

The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) is one of the intelligence agencies in Indonesia. In its long history, BIN has changed its name several times.

Looking back, its history can be traced to when the Indonesian government established an intelligence agency called the Special Agency (BI). At that time, Colonel Zulkifli Lubis was appointed as leader along with dozens of former Homeland Defenders (Peta) soldiers who became special military investigators.

From 1945 until now, the country’s intelligence agency has changed its name several times. These include BRANI (Indonesian State Secret Agency), BKI (Intelligence Coordinating Agency), BPI (Central Intelligence Agency), KIN (State Intelligence Command), BAKIN (State Intelligence Coordinating Agency), to BIN (State Intelligence Agency).

In Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 17 of 2011 concerning State Intelligence, Article 10 states that the State Intelligence Agency is a state instrument that carries out domestic and foreign intelligence functions. Looking at the explanation in the “General” section, it is stated that state intelligence personnel must have professional, objective and neutral attitudes and actions.

Furthermore, BIN is responsible to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. They also serve as coordinators for intelligence organizers in other countries, such as TNI intelligence, Polri intelligence, Attorney General’s intelligence, and intelligence from ministries/non-ministerial government agencies. Currently, the position of Head of BIN is occupied by General Pol (Ret.) Budi Gunawan.

2. TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS).

The Strategic Intelligence Agency or BAIS TNI is an agency that handles military intelligence. The command is under the TNI Headquarters.

In its operations, BAIS is tasked with supplying actual intelligence analysis and future estimates in the short term, medium term and long term to the TNI Commander and the Ministry of Defense (Kemhan).

Looking back, BAIS originally came from the Army Psychological Center (PSiAD). In the New Order (Orba) era, the Department of Defense and Security established a Strategic Intelligence Center (Pusintelstrat) filled with PSiAD members.