Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that his proposal to\nallow civilians to hold official positions within the Indonesian\nNational Police (Polri) is part of a \u2018civilian oversight\u2019 concept\npracticed in many developed nations. He suggested that Indonesia could\nadapt this model by incorporating specific provisions into the ongoing\nrevision of Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the National Police,\ncurrently being deliberated in the House of Representatives (DPR).<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost all police leaders in developed countries such as the United\nStates, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands have civilian\nheads,\u201d Pigai stated in a video statement on Saturday, 6 June 2026.<\/p>\n
Pigai explained that the positions intended for civilians would be\nthose not directly related to core policing duties, such as finance,\ntechnological development, human resources, and managerial roles. He\nemphasised that this revision would not allow civilians to become the\nChief of National Police.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Pigai believes this proposal could serve as a middle\nground to resolve long-standing conflicts between civilians and armed\nforces in Indonesia. He argued that integrating civilians into the Polri\nstructure could eliminate dichotomies and promote justice, as both\npolice and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) could occupy\ncivilian roles. \u201cIf the TNI and Polri can move into civilian roles, then\ncivilians can also lead units within the TNI and Polri that are open to\ncivilians. That is the principle of reciprocity,\u201d Pigorn said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Pigai encouraged that civilians should have the\nopportunity to reach Echelon I status through their positions within the\npolice. He noted that currently, civilian promotions are often limited\nto Echelon IV, and that allocating more positions for civilians could\nfacilitate more objective and professional career advancement.<\/p>\n
Pigai stated he is preparing to work with experts to formulate the\nproposal for submission to the Polri and the DPR, claiming the move is\nintended for the comprehensive improvement of the police force. \u201cThere\nis no personal interest. This is for our collective benefit; the goal is\nto build, which is what substantial police reform looks like, rather\nthan merely symbolic,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The revision of the Police Law is included in the National\nLegislation Program (Prolegnas) Priority for discussion in 2026. The\nrevision was proposed by Commission III of the DPR, alongside the new\nCriminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the Asset Forfeiture Bill.<\/p>\n
One notable change in the proposed revision is the extension of the\nretirement age for police officers. It is proposed that the retirement\nage for non-commissioned and enlisted officers be increased to 58, with\na possible extension to 60. Meanwhile, the retirement age for officers\nwould increase to 60, with an extension to 62 for those with specialised\nexpertise.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister of Law Eddy Hiariej revealed that the DPR and the\ngovernment have agreed on 20 items from the List of Problems (DIM) to be\ndiscussed in the revision of Law Number 2 of 2002. This decision was\nreached during a working committee meeting at the Parliament Complex in\nSenayan, Jakarta, on Thursday, 4 January 2026.<\/p>\n
Hiariej explained that from the draft proposed by the DPR, the\ngovernment submitted 112 DIMs, consisting of 32 fixed DIMs, 36 editorial\nDIMs, 12 substantive DIMs, and 8 new substantive items. This means only\n20 items will be prioritised for discussion, specifically the 12\nsubstantive and 8 new substantive items. \u201cSince the fixed DIMs are those\nwhere the government agrees with the DPR\u2019s proposal, they will not be\ndiscussed,\u201d Hiariej said.<\/p>\n
Hiariej declined to disclose the specific new substantive items or\ncomment on the proposed retirement age extension, noting that all\nmatters would be discussed in subsequent meetings next week.<\/p>\n
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi remarked that Pigai\u2019s proposal\nregarding civilians holding police positions is a valid viewpoint to\npresent.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pigai-civilian-appointment-to-police-official-positions-is-common-abroad-1780804719", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }