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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Elections & Politics

Indonesia's President Prabowo Agrees to Limit Police Roles Outside National Force

From Tempo · (12m ago) Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Indonesian National Police Commission has proposed limiting police officers' positions outside the Indonesian National Police (Polri) structure.
  • President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly agreed to the proposal, which aims to prevent the misuse of authority.
  • The commission's recommendations, stemming from public protests in 2025, will be incorporated into a revised Police Law or a government regulation.

A significant reform is on the horizon for the Indonesian National Police (Polri), as the National Police Reform Commission has proposed limiting the number of positions police officers can hold outside the official Polri structure. This move, reportedly endorsed by President Prabowo Subianto, aims to curb potential abuses of power and ensure a clearer delineation of roles within the state apparatus.

It was decided by the President that the positions must be limited, specifying which ones (police can hold). So it's not like now, where there are no limits.

— Jimly AsshiddiqieExplaining President Prabowo's agreement to limit police positions outside the Polri structure.

The commission, formed in the wake of widespread public demonstrations in late 2025 that highlighted concerns over police conduct, has finalized its recommendations. These proposals are slated to be integrated into either a revision of the existing Police Law (UU Nomor 2 Tahun 2002) or a new government regulation. The objective is to establish definitive limits on where police personnel can serve, drawing parallels with the existing restrictions on military appointments.

The limitation of police positions will be included in a government regulation or law.

— Jimly AsshiddiqieDescribing the legal framework for the proposed reforms.

This reform is particularly resonant in Indonesia, where the police's role and accountability have been subjects of intense public scrutiny. The memory of the 2025 protests, which tragically resulted in fatalities, including that of online motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, remains a stark reminder of the need for robust oversight. President Prabowo's commitment to police reform, evidenced by the formation of this commission, signals a serious intent to address these public grievances and rebuild trust between the police and the citizenry. The proposed limitations are seen as a crucial step towards a more professional and accountable police force, aligning with the aspirations of a democratic society.

The Police Law Number 2 of 2002 will likely be revised to align with the recommendations from the National Police Reform Commission.

— Jimly AsshiddiqieIndicating the legislative process for implementing the reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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