The Indonesian Navy has dismissed the speculations that the proposed budget of Rp100 billion (US$6.12 million) for the procurement of the Information Response System application would be used to fund buzzer activities to improve the Indonesian Navy’s image.
“The Information Response System application is expected to optimize the protection of sensitive data, maintain the integrity of information, prevent misuse by unauthorized parties, and detect misuse of information related to the Indonesian Navy on social media,” Indonesian Navy Spokesman, Commodore I Made Wira Hady Arsanta Wardhana, said as quoted in a media statement on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The Indonesian Navy has proposed a budget of Rp100 billion from the 2025 State Budget (APBN) for the procurement of the Information Respond System application. This application is expected to improve information security within the Indonesian Navy.
The statement is consistent with the information listed on the General Procurement Plan Information System (SIRUP) website of the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Agency (LKPP). However, controversy arose after a text screenshot circulated stating that the application was designed to “minimize negative opinions” related to the Indonesian Navy by involving Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) and buzzer methods on social media.
It was stipulated in the screenshot, which has gone viral, that the application is needed due to limited personnel in monitoring information. This gave rise to the perception that the purpose of the procurement was to steer public opinion in a positive direction through social media.
When re-searched on the SIRUP website, the product description showed differences. The job description stated that the procurement was intended to protect sensitive Indonesian Navy data and ensure that the information published was of high quality and could be well received by the public.
“Information security is needed to maintain the integrity of information and protect sensitive Indonesian Navy data. With this application, quality information related to the Indonesian Navy is expected to be well received by the public,” it read.
I Made Wira hopes that the differences in information will not cause further misunderstandings in the community. “We hope that this misdescription will not spread further so that it can lead to erroneous interpretations,” he said.
