September 5, 2025 | 05:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Information Center, Brigadier General Freddy Ardianzah, confirmed that a member of the TNI's Strategic Intelligence Body (Bais TNI) was arrested by the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) of the Indonesian National Police during a mass protest in Pejompongan, West Jakarta.
The photo of the arrest went viral on social media. Freddy identified the arrested member as a major with the initials SS. He confirmed that Major SS was on duty with four other members to conduct intelligence work during the August 28, 2025, rally.
"This photo is indeed of a Bais TNI member," Freddy said at a press conference on Friday, September 5, 2025. However, Freddy lamented the online narrative that labeled the Bais TNI personnel as provocateurs and troublemakers.
Timeline of the Arrest
Freddy explained that Brimob forces dispersed the initial crowd near the Slipi overpass. The demonstrators then regrouped in Pejompongan and Benhil around 10:00 p.m. Brimob forces dispersed the crowd in Benhil and then moved to assist other units blocking the crowd in Pejompongan.
Major SS and his colleagues followed the Brimob forces to Pejompongan. At 11:25 p.m., they were monitoring the demonstration from about 50 meters away near a gas station.
The group was separated when tear gas was deployed. Major SS then sat on a parked motorcycle at the gas station. Suddenly, he was approached by Brimob forces on motorcycles, pulled toward a tactical vehicle, and interrogated by a senior Brimob officer.
Previously, the Head of Bais TNI, Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, had denied reports that his subordinates were involved in burning public facilities during the protest. "Not true," Yudi told Tempo on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Viral Photo and Intelligence Card
The photo of the Bais TNI member's arrest went viral on social media and messaging apps. One post was from an account named @klipera** on the X platform, which uploaded photos and videos on early Sunday, August 31, 2025, alleging the involvement of Bais TNI intelligence.
The photo showed a person with Brimob personnel, with one officer holding up an identity card. The card, which was predominantly orange, was identified as a "Weapon Permit Card" from Bais TNI Headquarters.
The card listed the person's name and rank and stated their position as "Commander of Team 2, IV Unit of the Bais TNI Intelligence." It also indicated permission to use a 9-millimeter caliber pistol, with the card issued on December 19, 2024, and valid until December 31, 2025.
Novali Panji Nugroho, Ervana Trikarinaputri, and Muhammad Raihan contributed to the report
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