Indonesian State Intelligence Agency

Badan Intelijen Negara Republik Indonesia ("State Intelligence Agency of the Republic of Indonesia"), commonly referred to as BIN, is Indonesia's primary intelligence agency. Prior to 2001, it was known as Bakin ("Badan Koordinasi Intelijen Negara", "State Intelligence Coordinating Agency"); its name was changed as part of a general restructuring of the agency. BIN is responsible for co-ordinating information sharing and operations among Indonesia's other intelligence agencies, as well as for mounting operations on its own.
At the time of its name change in 2001, BIN's role in co-ordinating was de-emphasised. However, in the wake of the 2002 Bali bombing, the co-ordinating function was strengthened as part of an all-around expansion of the agency's mandate, which included an expanded budget. Since 9 September 2016, the agency has been headed by Budi Gunawan.
History.
1943–1965.
The origin of the agency can be traced back to the Japanese occupation period. In 1943, Japan established an intelligence organization known as the Nakano Military Intelligence School. Former member of the Defenders of the Homeland (PETA), Zulkifli Lubis, graduated from the school and was also the Republican's first Commander of Intelligence.
After independence, August 1945, the Government of Indonesia established the first intelligence agency of the republic, which was called Badan Istimewa (the Special Agency) commonly referred to as (BI).Colonel Zulkifli Lubis returned to lead the agency along with about 40 former Peta soldiers who were special military investigators. After entering a special intelligence training period in the Ambarawa region, in early May 1946 around 30 young graduates became members of the Indonesian State Secret Agency (BRANI). This agency became the umbrella for the intelligence movement with several "ad hoc" units, even overseas operations.
In July 1946, the Minister of Defense (Menhan) Amir Sjarifuddin formed the "Defense Agency B" headed by a former police commissioner. As a result, on 30 April 1947 all intelligence agencies were merged under the Minister of Defense, including Brani, to become Part V of the B Defense Agency.
In 1949 the Minister of Defense Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX was not satisfied with the performance and performance of the intelligence at that time which was running independently and was not well coordinated, so Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX formed Dinas Chusus (the Special Service) commonly referred to as (DC), which was expected to be able to face the challenges of the threat of the state and nation in the future, and able to protect the Republic of Indonesia. The DC recruitment program is the intelligence program of the first non-military civilian cadres in Indonesia trained by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Intelligence candidates were sent to the Philippine island of Saipan to take part in a training program until several forces were then resumed training in Indonesia. The alumni were placed in various clandestine operations which were very closed and capable of penetrating enemy hearts such as operations (Operation Trikora, Dwikora, G30. S PKI, etc.). DC is known by the pseudonym Ksatria Graha, who are trained professional intelligence cadres, which are an important part that cannot be separated from the history of Indonesian intelligence.
In early 1952, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, T.B. Simatupang, demoted the intelligence agency to Badan Informasi Staff Angkatan Perang (the Armed Forces Staff Information Agency) (BISAP). As a result of competition within the military, during 1952–1958, the entire force and police had their own intelligence services without national coordination. So on 5 December 1958, the President Sukarno formed the Intelligence Coordinating Body (BKI) with Colonel Laut Pirngadi as the head.
Subsequently,10 November 1959, BKI was changed back to Badan Pusat Intelijen (the Central Intelligence Agency) commonly referred to as (BPI) headquartered at Jalan Madiun, headed by Dr. Soebandrio. In the era of the 1960s until the beginning of the New Order era, Soebandrio's influence on the BPI was very strong, followed by the war of communist and non-communist ideology in the military, including intelligence.
1965–present.
After the 1965 upheaval, Soeharto headed Operasi Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban (the Operation Command for Restoring Security and Order) Kopkamtib. Subsequently, in all regions (Regional Military Command / Kodam) an Satuan Tugas Intelijen (Intelligence Task Force) (STI) was formed. Then on 22 August 1966, Suharto established Komando Intelijen Negara (the State Intelligence Command) (KIN) with Brigadier General Yoga Sugomo as the head who was directly responsible to him.
As a strategic intelligence agency, BPI was merged into KIN which also had Operasi Khusus (Special Operations) Opsus under Lt. Col. Ali Moertopo with assistants Leonardus Benyamin (Benny) Moerdani and Aloysius Sugiyanto. In less than a year, 22 May 1967 Soeharto issued a Presidential Decree (Keppres) to design KIN to Badan Koordinasi Intelijen Negara become (the National Intelligence Coordinating Board) (BAKIN). Maj. Gen. Soedirgo was appointed as the first head of BAKIN.
During the time of Maj. Gen. Sutopo Juwono, BAKIN had Deputy II under Colonel Nicklany Soedardjo, Perwira Polisi Militer ( Military Police Officer) POM officer who graduated from Fort Gordon, USA. In early 1965, Nicklany created the PM's intelligence unit, namely Detasemen Pelaksana Intelijen (the Intelligence Implementing Detachment) (Den Pintel) POM. Officially, Den Pintel POM became Satuan Khusus Intelijen (the Special Intelligence Unit) Satsus Intel, then in 1976 it became Satuan Pelaksana (the Implementing Unit) Satlak and in the 1980s it became the Implementing Unit (UP) 01.
Starting in 1970 there was a reorganization of BAKIN with the addition of Deputy III to the Opsus post under Brigadier General TNI Ali Moertopo. As a Suharto insider. Opsus is considered the most prestigious in BAKIN, ranging from domestic affairs Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat of West Irian and the birth of the political machine Golongan Karya (Golkar) to the Indochina issue. In 1983, as Deputy Head of BAKIN, L.B. Moerdani expanded his intelligence activities to become Badan Intelijen Negara (the Strategic Intelligence Agency) (BAIS). Subsequently, BAKIN remained as a contra-subversion directorate of the New Order.
After removing L.B.Moerdani as Minister of Defense and Security (Menhankam), in 1993 Suharto reduced Bais' mandate and changed its name to Badan Intelijen ABRI (ABRI Intelligence Agency) BIA. In 2000, President Abdurrahman Wahid changed BAKIN to become Badan Intelijen Negara (the State Intelligence Agency) (BIN) until now.
Thus, since 1945 s.d. now, the state intelligence organization has changed its name six times:
Organizational structure.
Main organization.
The organizational structure mainly based from Presidential Decree No. 90/2012 (State Intelligence Agency). The organizational structure of the BIN was last amended by the Presidential Decree No. 79/2020 (Second Amendment of Presidential Decree No. 90/2012 Re: State Intelligence Agency). The decree was signed on 20 July 2020. Under the Presidential Regulation, the BIN's organizational structure consists of 9 deputies, which later expanded by Chief BIN Decree No. 01/2022:
Training facility.
BIN possessed primary education and training facility called STIN, "Sekolah Tinggi Intelijen Negara" (State Intelligence College). It has undergraduate, master, and doctoral level education for intelligence in Indonesia. All BIN graduates will become part BIN human resource after graduation. During COVID-19 pandemic situation, in September 2019, Budi Gunawan announced that STIN will open Medical Intelligence program. In April 2021, STIN opened their Medical Intelligence program, along with the expansion of the programs under STIN.
The current training programs of STIN are:
Aside of the STIN, BIN possessed another education and training facility called Education and Training Center, under the Main Secretariat office. Unlike training provided by STIN, training in Education and Training Center are much specialized.
Para-commando unit.
BIN also possessed at least one para-commando force unit. A unit codenamed "Rajawali" (Eagle) disclosed by Bambang Soesatyo, Speaker of People's Consultative Assembly. The existence of the unit surprised many Indonesians, as most Indonesians never know that the unit really exist. The unit signified with black full-body clad military attire, similar like Koopsus combat attire. In the press release, BIN acknowledged that Rajawali Force is a BIN specialized trained force trained in "special threats handling and deterrence". BIN also said that the unit does not has specific name attached, and every year, the name of the force always changed. Most of the details of the unit other than this are not disclosed.