Jakarta. The Indonesian Military (TNI) should establish a fourth branch dedicated to combating the growing global threats in cyberspace, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo proposed on Friday.

Bambang made the remarks during the annual joint session of the assembly, the country’s highest legislative body, attended by President Joko Widodo, cabinet members, and lawmakers.

"The time has come for Indonesia to introduce a fourth branch in the military, which should be named the Cyber Force," Bambang said.

The Golkar Party politician noted that Indonesia's national cybersecurity index ranks relatively low on a global scale and is only fifth in Southeast Asia.

"In an era where a nation's security can be compromised by hackers, Indonesia must urgently develop a robust cybersecurity system and infrastructure," Bambang said.

He pointed out that in modern warfare, military operations can be conducted remotely with precision and speed, underscoring the need for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities.

“Recent cases of national data breaches further highlight the urgency for a dedicated government entity tasked exclusively with cybersecurity,” Bambang added.

The proposed Cyber Force would complement the existing branches -- the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force --thereby enhancing Indonesia’s readiness for modern warfare, Bambang said.