Enviro News Asia, Honolulu — The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) has become an important forum for security dialogue, executive education and policy research in the Indo-Pacific, including through the participation of Indonesian military officers, diplomats, academics, researchers and government officials.
Established in 1995 under the United States Department of Defense, DKI APCSS brings together military officers, diplomats, academics, police officials, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the Indo-Pacific. The institution focuses on emerging security challenges that increasingly cross national borders, including terrorism, maritime crime, cyberattacks, disinformation, geopolitical competition and climate-related disasters.
For Indonesia, the institution’s role is particularly relevant given the country’s position as the world’s largest archipelagic nation connecting the Indian and Pacific oceans. Cooperation through DKI APCSS provides opportunities to strengthen maritime security, protect trade routes, improve digital resilience and enhance national preparedness for crises.
From 1995 to 2026, DKI APCSS has recorded 461 Indonesian alumni out of approximately 16,000 alumni worldwide. They have represented the Indonesian military, police, government ministries, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), research institutions and universities.
Among the Indonesian figures associated with the DKI APCSS network are Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Johnni Mahroza, former Rector of the Republic of Indonesia Defense University; Vice Adm. (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Amarulla Octavian, Deputy Head of BRIN; Adm. (Ret.) Prof. Dr. Marsetio, former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy and Professor at the Defense University; and Air Chief Marshal (Ret.) Fadjar Prasetyo, former Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force.
Cooperation has also been strengthened with the Republic of Indonesia Defense University, the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (Lemhannas RI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BRIN. The Indonesian DKI APCSS Alumni Association, established in 2007, is currently led by Maj. Gen. TNI Benny Octaviar.
In July 2026, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo, accompanied by Indonesian Defense Attaché Air Vice Marshal TNI Yose Ridha and Political Affairs Coordinator at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Fahmi Alli Sarosa, visited DKI APCSS in Honolulu. They were received by DKI APCSS Director Maj. Gen. (Ret.) U.S. Army Suzanne P. Vares-Lum and her team.
The meeting reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership and security dialogue with DKI APCSS in addressing emerging challenges across the Indo-Pacific.
Indonesia’s contribution to regional security discussions is also reflected in research conducted by Indonesian experts and DKI APCSS alumni. Navy Col. Ditya Farianto examined cybersecurity awareness in the maritime domain, highlighting the vulnerability of ships, ports, navigation systems and digitally connected logistics chains to cyber threats.
Army Col. Muhammad Hatta examined the importance of establishing and fully utilizing a secure cyberspace to protect national interests and deny potential adversaries opportunities to exploit digital vulnerabilities.
BRIN researcher Indriana Kartini studied territorial dispute management in the South China Sea, focusing on moving forward from the Code of Conduct toward the ASEAN Way. The issue remains relevant to regional stability, freedom of navigation and ASEAN interests.
Meanwhile, Fauzia Timur from the Republic of Indonesia Defense University examined resilience in hybrid warfare, addressing the growing role of information manipulation, economic pressure, cyberattacks and public opinion in modern conflicts.
Police Commissioner Tito Hutahuruk focused on a comprehensive approach to reducing mis-, dis- and malinformation on social media platforms, an issue increasingly linked to social cohesion and national resilience.
The range of studies demonstrates that Indonesia is not merely participating in regional security discussions but is also contributing ideas to address emerging challenges. Maritime security, cyberspace, information resilience and disaster preparedness require cooperation across institutions and national borders.
Through networks such as DKI APCSS, Indonesian experts can contribute their research and perspectives to broader regional discussions while strengthening opportunities for policy cooperation, knowledge exchange and national preparedness across the Indo-Pacific. (*)
