Profile of Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Muhamad Herindra, from TNI Soldier for 30 Years to Head of BIN

Kapanlagi.com - Lieutenant General TNI (Ret.) Muhammad Herindra is now in the public spotlight after being inaugurated as the Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) on October 21, 2024. Herindra's appointment marks a new era in the intelligence institution, which was previously led by General Pol (Ret.) Budi Gunawan for nearly eight years.

With a solid military background, especially as part of the Special Forces Command (Kopassus), Herindra is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Indonesia's security and intelligence strategies. Not only experienced in the field, he has also served as Deputy Minister of Defense, accompanying Prabowo Subianto, which further enhances his leadership credentials.

On Monday (11/4/2024), Herindra held his first meeting with Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) at the Senayan Parliament Complex in Jakarta. The closed meeting carried the theme '100 Days of the Head of BIN' while also welcoming the Regional Head Elections. Various important issues were discussed in this meeting, ranging from threats to democracy, to issues of online loans (pinjol), online gambling (judol), drugs, and the economic challenges facing the country today.

With the strategic steps that will be taken, the public hopes Herindra can lead BIN towards a better and more responsive direction to the challenges of the times.

1. Education

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Muhammad Herindra, born in Magelang on November 30, 1964, has left a remarkable mark in the military world since starting his career at the Military Academy. With an unwavering fighting spirit, he achieved the title of the best graduate in 1987, where the Adhi Makayasa and Tri Sakti Wiratama awards are tangible evidence of his dedication.

Not only that, but Herindra also deepened his knowledge in the fields of intelligence and international relations at the University of Salford and the National University of Malaysia, preparing himself with a solid intellectual foundation to formulate effective national security strategies.

To complement his expertise, he underwent various military training in the United States, including at Norwich University and the National Defense University, making him one of the skilled and visionary military leaders.

2. Career Journey

After completing his education at the academy, Herindra took a bold step by joining the elite Kopassus forces, where he underwent intensive training that honed his abilities into an unyielding soldier. His valuable experiences in Kopassus enriched his skills and expertise in various missions, both command and non-command.

Herindra also achieved various strategic positions, including as the commander of Infantry Battalion 812, which specifically handled counter-terrorism operations in the Kopassus Counter-Terrorism Unit in 2001. His career did not stop there; he advanced further by serving as a senior intelligence officer at Kodam I/Bukit Barisan and then as the Military District Commander in Bengkalis, Riau.

In his role as Dandim, Herindra was directly involved in efforts to combat illegal logging, including the seizure of 27 tons of illegal timber in 2005, demonstrating his dedication to the environment and regional security.

3. Role in the Ministry of Defense

After a brilliant career in the military, Herindra stepped into the bureaucratic arena as the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia on December 23, 2020.

In this strategic role, he collaborates with Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto to implement various vital programs, including strengthening the domestic defense industry and improving the quality of human resources in the defense sector.

Not only that, but Herindra also demonstrates strong leadership by actively managing the Ministry of Defense and TNI assets that have been less productive, making him a key figure in the transformation of the nation's defense.

4. Appointed as Head of BIN

On October 21, 2024, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Muhammad Herindra was officially inaugurated as the Head of the National Intelligence Agency by President Prabowo Subianto, taking over the position from General Police (Ret.) Budi Gunawan, who is now focused on his duties as the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs.

This decision was enthusiastically welcomed by national security observers, who believe that Herindra's experience in the military and intelligence will bring a fresh perspective in maintaining the stability of national security.

"With a rich background in counter-terrorism and military intelligence, Herindra is the right person to lead BIN amid increasingly complex asymmetric threats, including in the cyber domain," said Khairul Fahmi, a prominent observer, as reported by ANTARA.

Additionally, Herindra also serves as the President Commissioner at PT Len Industri (Persero), a state-owned enterprise that plays an important role in the electronics and infrastructure industry in Indonesia.

5. Personal Life

Herindra and Eka Diyah Rusyati, a charming dentist, have united their love in a happy marriage. From this marriage, a son named Arief Akbar Herlambang was born.

Interestingly, Arief, who is their only son, got married in December 2022, in a grand party attended by prominent figures, including President Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto who served as witnesses in that historic moment.

(kpl/rmt)