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Lawmakers expect BIN to improve as top cop leading the spy body
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National Police deputy chief Budi Gunawan (left), National Police chief Tito Karnavian (center) and Corruption Eradication Commission commissioner Basaria Panjaitan attend a celebration for the 68th anniversary of policewomen at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Sep. 1. (Antara/Reno Esmir)
H
ouse of Representatives members said Monday they expect Comr. Gen. Budi Gunawan to improve the State Intelligence Agency (BIN)'s capability in tracking global challenges that might endanger the country should he take the role of spy chief.
Arief Suditomo, member of the House's Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, said he hoped Budi could prioritize the efforts to tackle significant challenges that would likely arise from foreign interests over Indonesia's potentials, which might go against the country's national interests.
"When [the threats] collide, we will need an early warning mechanism so that we can strategize and maintain our unity. We hope BIN will play a major role to anticipate this," Arief, a Hanura party politician, told The Jakarta Post.
Fellow Hanura party legislator Syarifuddin Suding said his political faction was sure that Budi's portfolio during his career at the National Police could contribute to his new position, especially to overcome, through better coordination between BIN and other related state institutions, such transnational crimes including terrorism, cyber crime and drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, Bambang Soesatyo, chairman of the House's Commission III overseeing legal affairs, said he was optimistic that Budi could pass the fit and proper test at the Commission I and would smoothly run for chief spy seat due to his proficient skills and capability. The screening would likely be carried out on Wednesday, Bambang added.
Budi, who currently serves as the National Police deputy chief, had previously passed the screening at the Commission III during his nomination as the National Police chief. However, after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) declared Budi a graft suspect, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo withdrew Budi's name, then appointed Gen. Badrodin Haiti as National Police chief and Budi as deputy chief. (dan)
