Capacity of Community Protection Units Across Indonesia to be Strengthened
The strengthening of the capacity of the Community Protection Unit (Satlinlar/Satlinmas) throughout Indonesia has become a primary focus for the Association of Community Protection Units (Aslinmas), following the inauguration of the central and regional boards of Aslinmas across Indonesia in Palembang, South Sumatra.
During the proceedings, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Akhmad Wiyagus, representing the Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian, inaugurated Safrizal ZA, the Director General of Regional Administrative Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, as the Vice General Chairperson II of the Aslinmas Indonesia Central Board.
The inauguration took place at the Jakabaring Sport City Stadium, Palembang, on Friday (28/8), coinciding with the Grand Assembly of Satlinmas to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The event also included the declaration, inauguration, and swearing-in of the Aslinmas Central and Regional Boards across Indonesia. The ceremony was attended by Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, the Army Chief of Staff, several governors, regents, and mayors from South Sumatra, as well as officials and members of Aslinmas Indonesia, alongside Satpol PP and Linmas personnel from various provinces and districts across the country.
In a speech delivered by Deputy Minister Akhmad Wiyagus on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs, the government emphasised that Satlinmas plays a strategic role in maintaining peace, order, and community protection down to the village and sub-district levels.
“The presence of Satlinmas serves as the frontline at the village/sub-district level, working collaboratively with the government, TNI, Polri, and the community to maintain regional stability,” stated Akhmad Wiyagus.
Currently, the number of Satlinmas personnel across Indonesia has reached 1,247,815 people. This figure is regarded as a significant social force in supporting the maintenance of public order, community protection, and local disaster management.
Akhmad emphasised that the existence of Satlinmas should not be viewed merely as a supplementary element of local government. Instead, its capacity and role must be continuously strengthened to respond to the needs of the community.
“I want to emphasise that Satlinmas is not just a supplement to local government administration. Satlinmas is a community force that we must nurture, empower, and increase the capacity of. Satlinmas is present when the community needs it, including during disasters,” explained Akhmad.
In addition to disaster management, the strengthening of Satlinmas is also directed towards supporting efforts for the prevention and early detection of forest and land fires (karhutla).
Aslinmas as a Platform for Strengthening Satlinmas
Safrizal ZA stated that his mandate as Vice General Chairperson II of the Aslinlar Indonesia Central Board will be utilised to strengthen the capacity of Satlinmas while expanding its role within the government and community protection ecosystem.
According to Safrizal, the challenges at the community level are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from hydrometeorological disasters and forest fires to social dynamics and various emergency conditions that require rapid response at the local level.
“We must build Aslinmas not merely as a gathering place, but as an engine for strengthening the capacity of Satlinmas throughout Indonesia. We want every member of Satlinmas to possess the knowledge, skills, networks, and preparedness to be present and provide protection when the community needs it,” said Safrizal.
He noted that the proximity of Satlinmas to the community is one of the organisation’s primary strengths. Their position directly within residential environments allows Satlinmas to detect potential disturbances to peace, disasters, or emergencies at an early stage. Therefore, strengthening Satlinmas involves not only institutional aspects but also improving the professionalism and responsiveness of personnel.
“We want to build a Satlinmas that is increasingly professional, responsive, and adaptive, yet remains rooted in the spirit of ‘gotong royong’ (mutual cooperation). Because community protection is essentially not just the duty of the government. It is a collective effort that requires the participation and strength of the community,” he asserted.
As the Director General of Regional Administrative Development and the official overseeing Satlinmas in the regions, Safrizal stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to encourage the strengthening of the organisation through institutional improvement, human resource capacity building, and support for infrastructure and facilities. He noted that the inauguration of the Aslinmas board is not merely an organisational agenda, but the beginning of efforts to build a stronger Satlinmas ready to perform its community protection functions.
“Today, we are not just inaugurating a management board. We are laying the foundation for a collective movement to build a Satlinmas that is stronger, more prepared, and closer to the community,” concluded Safrizal.