Jakarta (ANTARA) - The process of nominating Deputy Defense Minister Muhammad Herindra as the new head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) has begun early since President-elect Prabowo Subianto is planning to inaugurate ministers and the BIN leader simultaneously.
"Mr. Prabowo wants to inaugurate ministers alongside the BIN head. Thus, the process of considering the dismissal and appointment of (BIN leader) at the DPR had to start earlier," head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, explained in a message on Tuesday.
He underscored that unlike the President's prerogative right to decide the composition of his ministerial Cabinet, the mechanism for appointing and dismissing the BIN head entails considerations from the House of Representatives (DPR).
According to Article 36, Paragraph (1) and (2), of Law No. 17 of 2011 concerning State Intelligence, the President can appoint or dismiss the BIN head only after obtaining the approval of the national assembly.
"That is the prevailing procedure, which is different from that of appointing and dismissing ministers," Nasbi emphasized.
President Joko Widodo signed Presidential Letter No. R-51 on October 10, 2024, putting forward Muhammad Herindra's name as the candidate who will replace Budi Gunawan as BIN head.
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The head of state sent the letter to DPR Speaker Puan Maharani seeking the House's considerations on the appointment and dismissal.
At a plenary meeting on Tuesday, Maharani confirmed receiving the letter. She informed that Herindra will undergo a fit and proper test with a team formed by the DPR on Wednesday morning based on which the House's considerations will be shared.
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She said that the DPR has tasked the team with discussing and evaluating matters related to the dismissal and appointment of the BIN head, given that the House's complementary organs for the 2024–2029 term are yet to be formed.
The House Speaker added that the team will report the results at the next plenary meeting.