TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Defense Ministry has denied that the new tapping device purchased for its Strategic Intelligence Agency (Bais) may be misused. The ministry said the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), would use the device wisely, especially to support the state’s defense system.
"This is just a modernization of TNI’s alutsista (primary weaponry defense system)," Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Sisriadi Iskandar told Tempo on Thursday.
Previously, Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial) executive director Poengky Indarti raised concerns over the army’s new tapping device, saying it may be misused to spy on domestic affairs. Poengky was even more concerned that the intelligence device could be used to benefit particular political parties in the 2014 elections.
Sisriadi urged the public and human rights activists not to worry about the TNI misusing its intelligence devices. He asked the public to trust TNI chief commander Gen. Moeldoko’s promise to be neutral in the 2014 elections.
As previously reported, the Defense Ministry plans to receive new intelligence equipment from Gamma TSE Ltd by the end of 2013. The Rp70-billion device will be handed over to the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency. This purchase is included in Indonesia’s scheme for modernized weaponry.
INDRA WIJAYA
