Indonesia’s top communications ministry leader quits after cyberattack cripples services

Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan resigned as director general of applications and information at Indonesia’s communication ministry on Thursday, saying he was “morally responsible” for the June 20 breach that paralysed public services, including the airports’ immigration system, for several days.

“I apologise for all the mistakes made and anything I said that caused upset. This incident is technically my responsibility and I should have resolved it,” said Semuel, who had served in the position for eight years.

His resignation comes as calls mount for Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi to also step down. An online petition demanding Budi’s resignation has garnered over 25,000 signatures, citing his lack of accountability in addressing the recurring cyberattacks.

President Joko Widodo told reporters on Wednesday that a full audit of the incident was taking place and the focus was on ensuring the protection of all sensitive data across government agencies.

When asked if Budi would be removed from his position, Widodo said the government was still “evaluating everything”.

“Above all else, we need to find solutions so the cyberattack won’t happen again and [to ensure] that all of our national data is backed up,” he said.

The hacker group had demanded ransom of US$8 million, but has since issued an apology and provided a decryption key to unlock the stolen data, even after the government refused to pay the ransom.

The communication ministry on Thursday verified that the decryption key was functional and is working to restore systems.

The ministry expects a full recovery next month, with only 2 per cent of the data salvaged so far.

12:14

Snowden spy leaks shook the world, a decade later, what’s changed?

Beltsazar Krisetya, a researcher