Collaboration for Law Enforcement
The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR) continues to strengthen collaboration with the Indonesian National Police (Polri). This synergy is realised through legislative, oversight, and budgetary functions, including lawmaking, performance monitoring, and internal DPR coordination visits to ensure police professionalism.
Commission III of the DPR has affirmed its commitment to supporting Polri reforms focused on strengthening the culture and conduct of law enforcement personnel. Such reforms are deemed crucial for enhancing Polri’s professionalism and public trust in the legal system.
Commission III has also praised Polri’s efforts in maintaining public security and order. As part of its oversight role, the DPR has established a Special Committee for Law Enforcement Reform.
During committee discussions, Commission III confirmed that Polri remains under the President’s authority, consistent with the constitution and post-1998 security sector reform framework. The focus of legal reforms is on improving culture and behaviour rather than institutional restructuring.
Commission III carries out constitutional oversight, including the fit and proper test for the next Chief of Police (Kapolri). The President’s dismissal of the Kapolri also requires DPR approval.
During a plenary session, the DPR approved revising Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police as a DPR initiative. Deputy Speaker Saan Mustopa presided over the decision after eight parliamentary factions submitted written views on the Police Act amendments.
The revision follows up on recommendations from the Acceleration Commission for Police Reform (KPRP). Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the follow-up would produce regulations, including amendments to existing rules and new legislation.
Internally, Polri will revise Police Chief Regulations (Perkap) and Police Regulations (Perpol). “We must revise the law, and there are internal regulations we will improve,” Listyo said.
Beyond internal Polri regulations, Listyo added that revisions or new laws could also take the form of government regulations if the commission’s recommendations involve other ministries or institutions. He hopes these regulatory changes will address public demands for police reform.
Listyo views institutional strengthening as part of external oversight for Polri. Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad dismissed claims that the Police Act revision aims to extend General Listyo Sigit’s term.
The latest draft of the Police Act includes changes to Article 30(2) regarding retirement age. Subsection (a) sets the retirement age for constables, sergeants, officers up to senior commissioner, and one- to three-star generals at 60. Subsection (b) sets the retirement age for four-star generals at 60, extendable to 63 based on presidential needs. The only current four-star general is Kapolri Listyo Sigit, who is scheduled to retire in his sixth year of service at age 58 in 2027.
Dasco stated the retirement age extension aims to align police with other law enforcement agencies, such as prosecutors, and standardise the retirement age of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) following the TNI Act amendment.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said the extended retirement age seeks to ensure fairness. According to Supratman, police retirement age could be adjusted from 58 to 60, matching TNI and civil servants.
Supratman explained that the Police Act, in effect for over two decades, needs updating to align with legal developments, public needs, technological advances, transnational crime trends, and contemporary security threats.
Five key areas will form the core of the Police Act amendments: strengthening transparency, professionalism, accountability, and humanism in police duties; restructuring police officers’ external assignments; adjusting retirement age as part of professional human resource management; enhancing police education curricula with human rights, democracy, and humanism content; and strengthening the National Police Commission through expanded duties, transparent membership selection, and competency-based processes.