By: Brigadier General (Marines) Tony Kurniawan, S.A.P, M.A.P
In a tranquil corner of this green and cool nation, Wonosobo, Central Java, on March 8, 1967, was born a son of Indonesia who would later carve a long and noble journey within the Indonesian National Police. He is Agung Setya Imam Effendi, a true Bhayangkara warrior who not only devoted his life to upholding the law but also instilled the noble values of leadership, integrity, and loyalty in every step he took.
Graduating from the Police Academy (Akpol) in 1988, Agung began his career quietly, far from the public eye. Yet, like water that flows persistently to the lowest point, his tireless efforts gradually brought him greater responsibilities. From serving as Chief of Police in Bengkulu to holding various strategic roles within the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) at the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Agung consistently demonstrated his capacity as a leader with vision and courage.
In 2010, he was appointed Head of Unit III of Dirtipideksus, and within just one year, the Police entrusted him again — this time as Head of Sub-Directorate III. By 2014, Agung served as a Senior Policy Analyst and later became Deputy Director of Economic Crimes. His upward trajectory continued when, in 2016, he was appointed Director of Economic Crimes at Bareskrim, placing him at the forefront of national economic law enforcement.
Yet, Commissioner General Agung’s service extended beyond economic crime. In 2018, he entered the intelligence sector, serving as Deputy VI for Cyber Intelligence at the State Intelligence Agency (BIN). A year later, he was entrusted to lead as Regional Police Chief of Riau, proving himself a versatile figure with a deep understanding of national security dynamics.
In 2021, he was appointed Operations Assistant to the Chief of Police (Asops Kapolri), and by June 2023, he served as the Regional Police Chief of North Sumatra — one of the most strategic and dynamic provinces in Indonesia. Shortly thereafter, on June 26, Agung was named Principal Secretary of BIN and was promoted to the rank of Commissioner General, an honor reserved for only a select few.
The pinnacle came on October 18, 2024, when he was appointed Deputy Chief of BIN — a position that marked the unwavering dedication of a soldier who devoted his entire life to the red and white flag.
Administratively, Commissioner General Agung has reached retirement. But for a true Bhayangkara, service is not measured by position or tenure. As he holds firmly to the mottos: *Rastra Sewakottama* — the ultimate servant of the nation — and *Satya Haprabu*, unwavering loyalty to the leader and the country, these are not mere slogans on a wall, but the very breath that guides his every decision and step in life.
For him, the path of a Bhayangkara knight never ends. Retirement is not the conclusion of service, but a new chapter to serve in a different way. In his silence, he remains a guardian of the nation. In his smile, there lies firmness and love for Indonesia.
Commissioner General Agung Setya Imam Effendi is not merely a general. He is a symbol of dedication, integrity, and loyalty — a man who has written his own history in ink made of unending devotion.
The author is the Head of the State Intelligence Agency for the Bali Region.