After the approval of the House of Representatives for his nomination as National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief, Sutiyoso said on Tuesday that he would strive to make BIN more open in its interaction with the public, reducing its âintimidatingâ image which was typical for an intelligence agency
fter the approval of the House of Representatives for his nomination as National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief, Sutiyoso said on Tuesday that he would strive to make BIN more open in its interaction with the public, reducing its 'intimidating' image which was typical for an intelligence agency.
The former Jakarta Governor said intelligence activities needed a lot of information and therefore the public was a crucial factor in its operations.
Working as BIN chief, however, Sutiyoso remarked that it was unlikely that he would talk too openly due to the secretive nature of his work.
'I understand the large responsibilities that I will have in the future and I realize that I cannot do the job alone. That is why I will try, as much as I am able, to make BIN more open to the public so that the public can also support its activities. Intelligence needs information,' he said on Tuesday after a meeting at the House's Commission I overseeing intelligence, defense and foreign affairs.
Sutiyoso said that he would be more tight-lipped due to the nature of his work. 'So, please forgive me if I don't speak too much. But if I am asked matters unrelated to intelligence then I can definitely answer that,' he added.
Sutiyoso, who was also the former chairman of the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), refused to explain the current state of BIN operations, saying that he needed time to assess the agency's performance, to determine which sectors needed improvement, and to evaluate the competency of its workers.
'As an outsider, I need time to assess the needs of the agency and to judge whether or not the operations it carries out are going smoothly,' he said.
Sutiyoso's candidacy was unanimously approved by all parties within the House's Commission I. The decision of Tuesday's meeting will be brought to the next House plenary meeting for the full approval of the House. (++++)
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