Bamsoet urges strengthening of ideology within Polri to prevent radicalism

Radicalism within Polri poses a threat to the foundations of the state. When law enforcement officers are exposed, what is at stake is not merely internal discipline, but also public trust and the legitimacy of the state.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo has urged the strengthening of ideology within the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to prevent the spread of radical ideas.

The statement was delivered by Bambang Soesatyo, familiarly known as Bamsoet, while serving as an examiner at a doctoral promotion defence with a dissertation titled Model for Preventing Radicalism in the Indonesian National Police Institution at the Police College, Jakarta, on Wednesday.

“Radicalism within Polri is a threat to the foundations of the state. When law enforcement officers are exposed, what is at stake is not merely internal discipline, but also public trust and the legitimacy of the state,” he said.

He revealed that, based on research by the SETARA Institute in 2019, nearly 4 per cent of TNI/Polri personnel were indicated to be exposed to radical ideas. Meanwhile, a survey by the Alvara Research Center indicated that around 23,000 out of more than 400,000 Polri personnel have similar tendencies.

Bamsoet also mentioned several cases demonstrating the infiltration of radicalism into the police institution, including the case of Brigadir Syahputra in 2015 and Bripda Nesti Ode Sami in 2019, who were allegedly linked to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah network.

He assessed that radicalism in Polri is dangerous given that the institution holds significant authority, access to weapons, and a strategic position in maintaining national security.

“When officers who should be the state’s fortress are instead exposed to ideologies contrary to Pancasila, the risks are far greater than external threats,” he said.

Therefore, he urged the implementation of a more comprehensive early detection system, including the use of technology and digital behaviour analysis.

In addition, he emphasised the importance of building “ideological immunity” through ongoing education that substantively instils Pancasila values in every personnel member.

“Protecting Polri from radical infiltration means safeguarding the future of national security, public trust, and ensuring the state remains present to protect all Indonesian people,” said Bamsoet.