Analyst: No Issue with Police Under President, As Long as They Remain Professional

Deputy General Chairman of the People’s Movement Party, Yusuf Lakaseng, assesses that the ideal position of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) within the state structure heavily depends on the President’s understanding of democratic state principles. According to him, in a democratic system, it is not an issue for Polri to be directly under the President, as long as the Head of State comprehends the boundaries of the institution’s role in a professional manner. “If the philosophy of a democratic state is truly understood by the President, professionally, Polri is indeed suitable to be directly under the President,” said Yusuf in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/3). He stressed that the President holds a key role in determining the direction of the police institution, including ensuring that Polri continues to carry out its primary functions as law enforcers and guardians of public order. He reminded that, although structurally under the executive, Polri should not be drawn into practical political interests. The institution’s professionalism, he said, can only be maintained if there is a strong understanding from the President regarding democratic principles. “When the police apparatus is under the executive, Polri should not be brought into the political realm. Its main task is to create and maintain public order as well as law enforcement,” he explained. Furthermore, Yusuf assesses that the future direction of the President’s policies towards Polri still needs to be monitored. He hopes for a strong commitment to maintaining the neutrality of the institution. “I have no issue with Polri under the President, the important thing is that the Polri institution knows that they are not a political tool. Secondly, the President also knows that this is a democratic country, do not make Polri a political tool,” he asserted. This statement adds to the discourse on the position and independence of Polri in the government system, particularly in maintaining the balance between executive authority and democratic principles.