Luhut said intelligence supervisors should keep secret confidential information they get from the State Intelligence Agency (BIN).
"This is because this is a sensitive matter, which cannot be shared with anyone because it would endanger others," Luhut stated.
He did not question the establishment of a team for intelligence supervision by the House of Representatives (DPR), saying the United States was also supervising intelligence gathering.
However, Luhut, who is also a retired army general, stressed that the newly established team should keep secret, all confidential intelligence.
He further said a law must also be framed regarding the supervision of intelligence. "It must be regulated by a law that bans the team from leaking any confidential information, even if it is to a BIN member or the police because it will pose a danger," said Luhut.
The House of Representatives had approved and installed 14 members of the Intelligence Supervisory Team on January 26.
The team has been established to supervise and prevent possible deviations by BIN members. The team holds the right to investigate them.
In the meantime, BIN Chief Sutiyoso said he will not question the establishment of the team to supervise the State Intelligence Agency.
"I do not question the establishment because of the mandate of Law No. 17 of 2011 on State Intelligence. The State Intelligence Agency is being supervised," Sutiyoso said on Thursday.
The intelligence supervisory team will work when intelligence agencies violate the rules.
"However, the team should maintain confidentiality of information and the duty of BIN should be regulated" he remarked.
Earlier, the Houses plenary meeting had approved the establishment of an intelligence supervisory team led by Mahfudz Sidik.
"Based on the mandate of Law No. 17 of 2011 on State Intelligence, the establishment of an intelligence supervisory team can be approved," DPR Deputy Speaker, Fadli Zon stated on Tuesday.
All members of the DPR attending the plenary meeting ratified the establishment of the intelligence supervisory team.
The swearing-in ceremony was led by House Speaker Ade Komaruddin.
The members of the intelligence supervisory team are:
1. Mahfudz Sidik (Chairman), 2. Tantowi Yahya, 3. Asril Tandjung, 4. Hanafi Rais, 5. T.B. Hasanuddin, 6. A. Fernandez, 7. Ahmad Muzani, 8. Joko Pujianto, 9. Budiyotastri 10. Saiful Bahri Ansori, 11. Ahmad Zainuddin, 12. A. Dimyati Natakusumah, 13. Supiadin Ari Saputra, and 14. M. Arief Suditomo.
Deputy Chairman of Commission I Hanafi Rais stated that the team will monitor intelligence gatherers externally.
"The supervisory team will work when the intelligence agencies violate the rules. This is an external supervision," he noted.
Hanafi further said the team will handle cases of unfair arrests, wiretapping without court permission, and so on.
He noted that the team will also conduct regular meetings.
"The team can call anyone for instance, intelligence agencies, experts, or people linked to the case. All the states secrets will be upheld," he reiterated.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
