Dani Aswara, Jakarta – The research and advocacy group Setara Institute believes the Indonesian military (TNI) Cyber Unit overreached its mandate by consulting with Jakarta Metro Police and running cyber patrols. According to the institute, such practices pave the way for escalating digital repression.
"TNI's role in the cyber domain contradicts its mandate and triggers a regression of democracy in the context of threats to citizens' freedom of expression and opinion," said Setara Institute's human rights and security sector reform researcher, Ikhsan Yosarie, in a press release on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
A day earlier, the Commander of the Cyber Unit (Dansat Siber) of TNI Headquarters, Brigadier General Juinta Omboh Sembiring, along with several senior officers, visited the Jakarta Metro Police. They consulted regarding alleged digital space criminal acts involving the CEO of Malaka Project, Ferry Irwandi.
According to Ikhsan, this event indicates that the TNI not only overreached its mandate as a state instrument in the defense sector, but also took over the function of criminal law enforcement, which falls under the police's jurisdiction.
Ikhsan recalls that TNI Law No. 3 of 2025 does regulate the military's role in military operations outside of war (OMSP), including facing cyber threats. However, the subsequent explanation of the articles stresses that cyber threats in this context are limited to cyber defense, not law enforcement.
"What the TNI did not only demonstrates the expansion of the military's role beyond the state's defense, but also shows the misunderstanding of the TNI Cyber Unit about the limited scope of TNI's involvement, which is confined to cyber defense," said Ikhsan.
He added that the implementation of OMSP in the cyber domain also lacks an adequate legal basis. Article 7 paragraph (4) of the TNI Law states that the implementation of OMSP must be further regulated by government regulation or presidential regulation, except in assisting the Police in maintaining public order and security.
Setara also criticized the TNI's involvement in securing protests, both on the ground and in the digital space. For civil society, he said, demonstrations are a manifestation of freedom of expression and the political rights of citizens as guaranteed by the constitution.
"On the contrary, in a military paradigm, protests are seen as social-political instability that potentially disrupts public order and state security," said Ikhsan.