Following Panipahan Turmoil, Riau Police Chief Conducts Major Rotation and Forms Anti-Drug Task Force

Following the chaotic incident in Panipahan, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Regional Police have taken further steps. After previously dismissing Panipahan Police Station Chief Ajun Commissioner Robiansyah and Head of Criminal Investigation Unit Aipda Rahmat Ilyas, a thorough evaluation has now led to a large-scale rotation at the personnel level. Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, emphasised that the decision was made after a lengthy process involving internal oversight functions. “Based on the evaluation results from Itwasda, Propam, and through a long Wanjak process, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of the performance of personnel at Panipahan Police Station. From those results, it was decided to carry out a major rotation targeting the unit heads and members serving there,” said the Police Chief on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. According to him, this step is part of organisational improvement and corrective efforts to ensure that police services in the area run more optimally. “We want to ensure that the presence of the National Police is truly felt by the community, able to maintain stability in security and public order, and respond to various emerging dynamics,” he said. He also stressed that the policy is a response to the concerns of the Panipahan community, which have recently highlighted the security situation in their area. “We hear the aspirations of the community. The concerns of Panipahan residents are a serious concern for us. Therefore, every step we take is not only based on internal evaluation results but also as a form of moral responsibility to provide a sense of security in the midst of society,” he said. In addition to the rotation, Riau Police are strengthening strategic measures to eradicate drug circulation, which is said to be one of the root problems in the area. “Drug handling cannot be done in an ordinary way. We have formed an Anti-Drug Task Force that not only focuses on enforcement but also conducts a thorough evaluation of internal performance, so there is no room for deviations,” he stated. In the future, Riau Police will also collaborate with the Riau Provincial National Narcotics Agency to promote Panipahan as a drug-free zone. “In the future, we will push Panipahan to become a Bersinar village. This is not just about law enforcement but also efforts to build community social resilience to collectively reject and fight drugs,” said the Police Chief.