Indonesian Police Chief: Active Officers Need Approval for Civilian Posts

Indonesian National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has stated that active police officers cannot simply occupy civilian positions without adhering to established procedures and regulations.

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The police in principle have rules regarding the placement of police outside the structure. The condition is that there must be a request from the ministry that wants police members.

Prabowo explained that the police have internal rules governing assignments outside the institution. These assignments require a formal request from the ministry seeking the officer's placement. Furthermore, the police personnel must undergo an open bidding process or merit-based system, emphasizing that the police do not unilaterally assign officers to such roles.

His remarks were in response to concerns raised by civil society groups regarding provisions in the newly ratified Police Law that allow for the appointment of active police members to civilian roles. Prabowo assured that the police would not send officers if no request was made by a ministry.

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And they must follow open bidding or a merit system. So, it's not that the police just place them, but that process must be gone through so it's not arbitrary.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Law, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, acknowledged the criticisms from civil society. He stated that the government respects these concerns and invited the public to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court if they feel their constitutional rights have been violated. He indicated that criticisms are welcomed but should follow proper legal channels.

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If there is no request, the police will not send anyone.

The revised Law on the Indonesian National Police was approved by the DPR's plenary session on Tuesday, marking a significant legislative development.

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I think, once a law is passed, and then there are people who feel their constitutional rights have been violated, a review can be done at the Constitutional Court, both formal and material. So, I think we accept these criticisms with open arms, but there is an elegant channel for it.