President Prabowo Tells Police: Do Not Burden the People

President Prabowo Subianto has issued a strong directive to the Indonesian National Police (Polri), urging them to refrain from causing distress or hardship to the citizens they serve. The President delivered this message during the commemoration of Hari Bhayangkara on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

During his address, Prabowo called for Polri to embody a spirit of closeness to the people. "Come when the people need you, listen to the people, serve the people, protect the people. Do not make the people suffer instead," he stated at the Cikeas area in Bogor, West Java.

He reminded the police force that their existence and resources are funded by the public. "All our equipment comes from the people. Therefore, we must truly care for and protect our people," said the former Minister of Defense under President Joko Widodo.

Prabowo underscored the critical importance of Polri maintaining the trust of the Indonesian people, viewing public confidence as the primary strength for every police officer in their roles as protectors, guardians, and servants of the community. He also urged police personnel to empathize with the hardships faced by the public, noting Polri's origins in the nation's struggle for independence and its historical role in defending the people.