Boni Hargens: President Prabowo Trusts Police Chief Listyo Sigit
Jakarta, VIVA – Senior political analyst Boni Hargens stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to four institutions to prevent and halt smuggling is firm. This measure is aimed at protecting state revenue and strengthening national economic resilience.
In his address at the Attorney General’s Office on Friday, 10 April 2026, President Prabowo Subianto issued instructions to four key state officials: TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto; Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; BIN Head Herindra; and Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.
“This directive is not merely an administrative exhortation but an operational order demanding swift and measured responses from all designated institutions. This step reflects the Prabowo administration’s seriousness in closing loopholes in state revenue leakage through illegal channels,” Boni Hargens said in a written statement on Monday, 13 April 2026.
Boni explained that one important context behind President Prabowo’s instruction is the global geopolitical situation, particularly the impact of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East region.
This conflict, he said, has created volatility in global energy commodity prices, ultimately exerting significant pressure on Indonesia’s balance of payments and energy subsidy budget.
In such conditions, the smuggling of subsidised fuel oil becomes increasingly dangerous for two main reasons.
“First, the price disparity between subsidised fuel and international market prices is widening, thereby increasing the economic incentives for smugglers. Second, the pressure on the state budget due to rising world oil prices makes every subsidy leakage increasingly costly for the nation,” he stated.
On the other hand, Boni is confident that President Prabowo’s specific directive to the Police Chief as one of the main recipients of the order reflects a high level of trust from the head of state in the police institution.
He added that this signal is not just a technical assignment but an acknowledgement of Polri’s capacity and loyalty as a strategic partner of the government.
According to him, the full trust given by the President to Police Chief Listyo Sigit forms a strong foundation for operationalising the anti-smuggling agenda.
Polri is assessed to have received a direct mandate from the president, providing strengthened legitimacy and authority to act decisively in the field, including in handling organised smuggling networks backed by significant financial power.