Defense Minister Awaits Progress On Establishment Of National Cyber Agency

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu is adopting a wait and watch approach on the progress achieved in the establishment of a National Cyber Agency by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

"The National Cyber Agency has yet to be established. The Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs should initially set up the agency," Defense Minister Ryacudu noted on the sidelines of a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission I here on Monday.

Ryacudu stated that the ministry had a department in place to anticipate and overcome cyber attacks.

With regard to coordination, he expressed readiness to cooperate with the National Cyber Agency.

Earlier, the government had formed a special team to review the establishment of the National Cyber Agency.

According to Coordinating Minister for Law, Security and Political Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, the outcome of a study on the National Cyber Agency will be reported in early October 2015.

The minister pointed out that the National Cyber Agency would be operated directly under the supervision of the president.

To form the National Cyber Agency, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs would team up with various governmental information institutions, including the State Code Institution, the Communication and Informatics Ministry, and the deputies for cyber affairs at ministries and government institutions.

"I have spoken to Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara. We will also cooperate with Indonesian information technology experts," he remarked.

"I know that the military, government institutions, and state companies have established a special division to handle cyber attacks. However, the government needs an integrated institution to overcome cyber attacks and to survive a simultaneous attack," he affirmed.

The minister, however, emphasized that the National Cyber Agency will not be used as a government tool to spy on the people.

"The government will not spy on its citizens. The agency will be used only to anticipate cyber attacks and to protect the state information systems," the minister noted.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives Mahfudz Siddiq remarked that the government should not form the National Cyber Agency as a new institution for defense.

Cyber information has been managed by the Communication and Information Ministry, he noted.

"The government only coordinates and controls the cyber management system. The government does not need to establish a new body to manage cyber affairs because there are cross-sectoral matters," he pointed out.

The lawmaker remarked that matters concerning cyber security are handled by the Communication and Information Ministry. (WDY)