Dewi Nurita L & Koran Tempo, Jakarta – Criticism is being voiced in response to the involvement of State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Head Budi Gunawan in the country's politics, especially his close ties with Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP).

"Rumors of the biased BIN is a significant note that can present problems for the quality of the country's democratic consolidation and general election," said Wijayanto, Research Director of the Research Institute of Economic, Social Education, and Information (LP3ES).

Wijayanto reminded that Budi represents a state institution with authority over confidentiality while democracy, in contrast, relies on public transparency and accountability.

These two contrasting elements, he explained, should hamper intelligence agency from entering the political realm too deep.

"BIN shall only provide a recommendation to the president in his capacity as a state leader but not as a politician," Wijayanto reminded.

A number of Tempo sources within the PDIP environment stated that Budi is a member of PDIP's team to filter Jokowi's Cabinet members. Other than Budi Gunawan, this team consists of PDIP Chairperson Megawati, Puan Maharani, Muhammad Prananda Prabowo, and Hasto Kristiyanto.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1236242/bin-head-intelligence-involvement-in-pdip-sparks-criticism