The research focuses on the Mandalika MotoGP in Lombok, part of Indonesia’s Super Priority Tourism Destinations. The event draws tens of thousands of visitors and international media attention each year, making security a strategic concern not only for public safety but also for economic stability and nation branding. According to the authors, the Mandalika operation represents a shift from traditional policing toward intelligence-led security governance that integrates physical protection, cyber defense, and social risk management.
Why Mandalika Matters for Indonesia
Mandalika is more than a race circuit. It is a flagship tourism project designed to accelerate regional development and showcase Indonesia’s ability to host world-class events. However, large-scale sporting events also bring heightened risks. These include terrorism threats, cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage, social unrest, and reputational damage amplified by global media exposure.
The study explains that unlike closed stadiums, Mandalika is an open street circuit surrounded by local communities and coastal settlements. This creates complex security challenges, including land disputes, crowd movement, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and disaster risks such as earthquakes and extreme weather.
According to the authors, traditional crowd control alone is no longer sufficient. Instead, modern tourism security requires strategic intelligence—an approach that anticipates threats before they materialize and coordinates responses across institutions.
How Strategic Intelligence Was Applied
The researchers analyzed policy documents, academic studies, and official security reports related to the Mandalika MotoGP from 2021 to 2024. Their findings show that Indonesia applied an intelligence-led policing model supported by multi-agency cooperation.
Key elements of the security framework included:
- Predictive intelligence analysis to identify terrorism risks, social tensions, and cyber threats
- Layered security zones (Ring System) covering the race circuit, spectator areas, and surrounding communities
- Cybersecurity monitoring led by the National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN)
- Community-based intelligence, including engagement with local leaders to prevent conflict
- Centralized command operations, integrating police, military, and emergency services
This model allowed security forces to act preventively rather than reactively, reducing the likelihood of disruptions during the event.
Intelligence-Led Policing in Practice
One of the study’s key findings is the effectiveness of Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP). Instead of relying solely on visible security forces, Indonesian authorities used data analysis, social monitoring, and intelligence mapping to guide deployment decisions.
The authors note that police and military units used intelligence reports to identify potential protest zones, traffic congestion points, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities well in advance. This enabled targeted interventions without creating an atmosphere of militarization that could harm the tourism experience.
“Strategic intelligence allowed security forces to shift from reactive crowd control to proactive risk prevention,” the authors explain. “This approach balanced public safety with the need to maintain a welcoming environment for international visitors.”
Cybersecurity and Modern Threats
The study highlights cybersecurity as a growing concern in major sporting events. Ticketing systems, race telemetry, broadcasting infrastructure, and public Wi-Fi networks are all potential targets.
Indonesia’s National Cyber and Encryption Agency played a central role in monitoring digital threats and conducting cybersecurity readiness assessments. The research notes that cyber resilience is now as critical as physical security, particularly for globally broadcast events like MotoGP.
Drone surveillance and airspace monitoring were also deployed to prevent unauthorized aerial activity, reflecting the increasing role of technology in event security.
Collaboration Through the Penta-Helix Model
A major strength of the Mandalika security framework was the use of the “Penta-helix” collaboration model. This approach brings together five key actors:
- Government and law enforcement – overall coordination and intelligence management
- Military (TNI) – high-level security and strategic defense
- Cyber agencies – digital threat monitoring
- Tourism operators and event organizers – infrastructure and crowd management
- Local communities and media – social stability and public communication
This collaboration allowed information to flow efficiently between stakeholders, reducing response time and improving situational awareness.
According to the authors, this model strengthened trust between authorities and local residents, helping to prevent conflict and misinformation during the event.
Security as Nation Branding
Beyond safety, the study emphasizes that security has become a tool of national image-building. A smooth and secure MotoGP event signals political stability, institutional capacity, and readiness for global investment.
The authors argue that Indonesia’s success in securing Mandalika enhances its international reputation and supports long-term tourism growth. However, they also caution against excessive securitization that could undermine visitor comfort.
“The challenge is to maintain strong security without creating a climate of fear,” the authors note, emphasizing the importance of community-based and human-centered policing.
Expert Insight
According to lead author M. Thoriq Fadlullah of the Republic of Indonesia Defense University, strategic intelligence plays a defining role in modern tourism security.
“Security today is no longer about physical force alone. It is about foresight, coordination, and understanding social dynamics. Strategic intelligence enables prevention while preserving the tourism experience,” he explained.
Implications for Future Events
The study concludes that Mandalika offers a replicable model for securing large-scale tourism events in developing economies. It recommends:
- Strengthening intelligence training and digital forensics capabilities
- Expanding community engagement in security planning
- Enhancing cybersecurity readiness for major events
- Developing clear operational standards for recurring international events
- Evaluating the long-term social impact of intensive security measures
The authors also call for future research on the social and psychological effects of sustained security operations on local communities, as well as ethical considerations surrounding surveillance technology.
0 Komentar