Indonesia boosts digital defense over foreign military recruitment

Meulaboh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Indonesia is escalating digital surveillance and cross-sectoral security measures following reports that its citizens are being recruited online to fight as foreign mercenaries, officials said Wednesday.

The crackdown follows formal diplomatic protests from Jakarta demanding Russia halt all recruitment of Indonesian nationals into its armed forces, triggered by reports that an Indonesian citizen died while serving with Russian military formations in Ukraine.

"We are currently identifying and determining the most appropriate follow-up actions to prevent recruitment efforts by parties that could potentially threaten our national security," Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria told reporters in Jakarta.

Patria said digital monitors are investigating external social media channels facilitating mercenary recruitment in coordination with the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang confirmed that Jakarta pressed Moscow through diplomatic channels to cease recruiting Indonesian citizens into military or paramilitary units and requested formal exemption status from Russian recruitment drives.

"The Indonesian government has requested that the Russian government take the necessary steps to ensure that no Indonesian citizens are recruited into the Russian military," Mewengkang said, adding that the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow is verifying the death, identity, and service status of the casualty.

Authorities are also assessing whether predatory overseas job postings tied to foreign military enlistment constitute human trafficking.

The Foreign Ministry issued a safety advisory warning citizens against unverified high-paying overseas employment offers.

Translator: Teuku Dedi Iskandar, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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