BIN in the shadows of ultra vires

D. Nicky Fahrizal
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PREMIUM

Jakarta / Sat, September 26, 2020 / 08:38 am

Show of force: Rajawali troops from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) demonstrate their skills during a ceremony at the National Institute of Intelligence (STIN) in Sentul, Bogor, West Java on Sept. 9. (Courtesy of/Bambang Soesatyo)

The public was shocked again by the recent maneuver of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) through the appearance of the Rajawali troops. Of many comments in response to the event, some wonder why the Rajawali troops are not clearly defined by their profile, qualifications and designation. The public only knows the troops demonstrated their skills during an inauguration ceremony held by the State Intelligence College (STIN). From these facts, sharp observation is needed to identify the problem behind the troops’ title. First, does BIN have the authority to form special forces or units that qualify as combatants? Second, what justified the formation of the troop? Finally, what kind of solutions are in store? Article 30 of Law No.17/2011 on BIN says the agency exercises a series of powers, one of which is the authority to form a task force. This is specified further in the impl...