Jakarta, Indonesia – A member of the Indonesian legislature has questioned the assessment of Brigadier General Juinta omboh Sembiring, Head of the TNI’s Cyber Defense Unit (dansatsiber TNI), that social media activist and founder of the Malacca Project, Ferry Irwandi, poses a cyber threat. The inquiry follows General Sembiring’s recent consultation with the Jakarta Metropolitan Police regarding alleged criminal acts committed by Irwandi.
General Sembiring visited the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Monday, September 8th, stating his unit had uncovered “facts of alleged criminal acts” during cyber patrols. While details of the alleged offenses remain undisclosed pending investigation, Sembiring revealed attempts to contact Irwandi for consultation on algorithmic matters were unsuccessful. This action by the TNI’s cyber unit raises questions about the scope of cyber defense responsibilities, particularly considering 2014 guidelines limiting such functions to the Ministry of Defense and the TNI, as noted by retired TNI personnel TB Hasanuddin.
The case highlights ongoing debate surrounding the boundaries of cyber security enforcement in Indonesia and the potential for civilian oversight of military cyber operations. The Jakarta Metropolitan Police will now investigate the allegations,determining whether criminal charges will be filed against Irwandi.The outcome could set a precedent for future interactions between the military, civilian activists, and law enforcement in the digital sphere.