Indonesia Ministry of Communication seeks police aid over BTS theft

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has reported significant disruptions to internet services caused by criminal activities targeting telecommunications infrastructure. These crimes include the theft of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) equipment and the cutting of cables for illegal resale.

Minister Meutya Hafid expressed the need for intensified coordination with the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to address these issues, which can effectively disable internet access in entire regions. During a press conference, Hafid noted that such actions directly impact public services and have led to numerous community complaints.

Recent law enforcement actions have uncovered several incidents, including a theft in Tangerang City involving losses of approximately Rp481.6 million, and a previous case in Banjar Regency. The Ministry continues to work with police leadership to secure digital infrastructure and ensure the continuity of digital services across the country.