Indonesia's Police Reform Commission Submits Six Key Recommendations to President
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Indonesia's Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform submitted a final report with six key recommendations to President Prabowo Subianto.
- The report, spanning ten volumes, aims to overhaul the country's police institution, with a draft bill already being prepared for revision of the National Police law.
- Key recommendations include keeping the police under the president, strengthening oversight by Kompolnas, limiting police roles outside the force, and institutional reforms.
The Indonesian National Police are set for a significant overhaul, following the submission of a comprehensive ten-volume final report by the Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform to President Prabowo Subianto. This extensive document outlines six critical recommendations designed to reshape the institution, signaling a pivotal moment for law enforcement in the archipelago. The commission, having diligently worked for three months with input from various stakeholders including state institutions, civil society, police officials, and regional communities, has laid the groundwork for substantial changes.
A central tenet of the commission's proposal is to maintain the police's direct accountability to the President, rejecting any notion of placing the force under a ministry. This decision, supported by Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, aims to preserve the current structure while enhancing its effectiveness. Furthermore, the report champions a strengthened role for the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), advocating for its full independence and an expanded membership to bolster oversight credibility. These measures are crucial for ensuring public trust and accountability within the police force.
We submitted ten volumes covering comprehensive policy reforms and alternative measures to be implemented by the government and the police.
The recommendations also address the scope of police duties, proposing limitations on the number of positions police officers can hold outside their primary institution. This move is intended to prevent overreach and ensure focus on core policing functions, drawing parallels with existing restrictions on military personnel. Additionally, the report calls for significant institutional and managerial reforms, targeting structural, cultural, and operational aspects, including leadership, oversight mechanisms, and digital transformation. These reforms are vital for modernizing the police force and adapting to contemporary challenges, ensuring it remains a trusted guardian of public order and safety across Indonesia.
The commission recommends that the police remain directly under the president, rejecting proposals to place the force under a ministry.
Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.