Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo has urged President Joko Widodo to strengthen cyber units of the Police, State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and Ministry of Defense to anticipate cyber attacks.

"In addition to the establishment of the National Cyber Agency, the government should improve cyber units of the Police, BIN, and Ministry of Defense to anticipate cyber attacks amid the growing number of assaults on accounts over the past few years," Soesatyo stated here on Monday.

The lawmaker pointed out that the attacks had the potential to disrupt defense and national security as well as public order.

In response to the cyber attacks, Indonesia has built cyber units in the Police, BIN, and Defense Ministry.

"The cyber units need to be improved due to the growing threat of cyber attacks," he remarked.

The Houses Commission I on Communications and Information had earlier lent support to the speedy establishment of the National Cyber Agency to curb hoax news circulating among the public.

"I think it is a good thing if it is established soon to reduce or even eliminate the spread of hoax (information)," Commission I Chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyhari stated here.

He noted that the establishment of a cyber agency is expected to prevent the people from being misled by hoax news, as it could lead to slander.

The Commission I chairman of the House of Representatives pointed out that pieces of information presented to the public should be valid and accurate, so that they do not create slander.

"I think hoax news should not be circulated regardless of how small it is, as it would mislead the people," he emphasized.

It has been under discussion for a relatively long time but has yet to be established by the government, and Commission I needs to currently take up the matter with the concerned authorities.

The commission is willing to again lend a ear to the governments inputs after it expressed willingness to form it in 2017.

"We will later hear the governments explanations regarding its plan to set up the National Cyber Agency," he revealed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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