Executive Summary
We assess that Muhammad Herindra’s appointment as Indonesia’s State Intelligence Agency (BIN) aligns with Indonesia’s goals of diplomatic and political predictability. However, Herindra inherits an unstable security landscape with continuous threats from terrorism and cyber attacks, as well as rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.
He was appointed on 21 October 2024, following a recommendation from President Joko Widodo and the approval of the House of Representatives. His appointment is seen as a step to consolidate the intelligence community under Indonesia’s new president Prabowo Subianto, with whom he has a close working relationship through his most recent role as Deputy Minister of Defense. Herindra is seen as someone who is very loyal to his country and duty. [source, source, source]
Profile
Date and Place of Birth:
30 November 1964, Magelang, Central Java. [source]
Education and Military Path:
- Graduated from the Indonesian Military Academy (1987). Notable achievements include receiving the Adhi Makayasa Award for graduating in the top of his class.
- Masters degree in intelligence and international relations from the University of Salford, United Kingdom (1994)
- Further military education at the Indonesian Army Command and General Staff College (2000) and the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (2011)
- Master in social sciences, National University of Malaysia (2011)
- Deputy Minister of Defense (2020-2024)
- Ex-Kopassus officer (Indonesian Army Special Forces)
- Rank: Lieutenant General, Army. [source, source, source]
Important positions:
- Appointed as Head of BIN on 21 October 2024
- Deputy Minister of Defense (2020 – 2024)
- Chief of General Staff, Armed Forces (2020) [source]
- Inspector General of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) (2019-2020) [source]
Family:
- Married to Eka Diyah Rusyati, a dentist
- One child, a son, Arief Akbar Herlambang [source]