Awaiting Results of Police Reform Five Months After Prabowo's Appointment

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - During the five months since its inauguration, the agenda of the Commission for Accelerating Police Reform (KPRP) has yet to demonstrate clear progress.

Nevertheless, the issue of reforming the police institution is one of the key demands in maintaining the quality of democracy and law enforcement in Indonesia.

This situation places President Prabowo’s commitment under scrutiny.

The public is now awaiting concrete steps from the government to follow up on the police reform agenda, which is deemed urgent.

Deputy Chair of Advocacy and Networking at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Arif Maulana, questioned the president’s stance for not yet meeting with the KPRP, even though the committee has finalised its recommendations since early February 2025.

Arif assessed that the president’s attention to police reform has not been optimal because he is still preoccupied with other agendas, such as overseas visits and international activities.

“President Prabowo Subianto, who should be focused on the commitment to overhaul the police, has yet to meet with the KPRP due to being busy,” said Arif at the Resonance ICW office in Jakarta on Monday (27/4/2026).

He explained that reform is necessary to address various issues, such as practices of criminalisation, case fabrication, violence by officers, abuse of authority, and involvement in business and practical politics, which impact the regression of democracy and law enforcement.

“This urgency is considered in light of the potential for abuse of authority by the police following the enactment of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he stated.

“This is as a form of accountability for the KPRP, which has invited various public elements. The public has an interest in ensuring that the inputs provided have been heard and considered as part of the recommendation formulation process,” said Nany.

Nany also urged the House of Representatives (DPR RI) to carry out its oversight function over the government, particularly regarding the lack of follow-up on the police reform agenda.

Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) also supports the call for President Prabowo to promptly complete the police reform.