Habiburokhman: Majority of Police Reform Recommendations Incorporated into the Criminal Procedure Code
Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission III, Habiburokhman, assesses that the majority of the recommendations from the Police Reform Acceleration Team have been accommodated in the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). According to him, the implementation of the KUHAP, effective from 1 January 2026, could drive improvements in the Indonesian National Police’s performance.
“As long as the new KUHAP is implemented purely and consistently, we are confident that the Polri institution will become far better in carrying out its duties, and the public will find it easier to obtain justice,” said the Gerindra Party politician in a written statement quoted on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Habiburokhman stated that all the substance of the new KUHAP consists of public input complaining about the Polri’s performance regarding potential abuses of power in criminal procedure, from investigation, prosecution, determination of suspects, to the use of coercive measures.
He claimed that the new KUHAP can provide stronger defence rights for citizens compared to the 1981 KUHAP, which did not regulate control mechanisms over the execution of investigative duties, thus giving police leeway to abuse power.
The strengthening in the new KUHAP includes citizens’ rights to be accompanied by an advocate from the initial examination, strengthening the role of advocates, expanding pre-trial institutions, tightening detention institutions, and procedures against violence, intimidation, torture, and threats of ethical, professional, and criminal sanctions for investigators who abuse authority.
Furthermore, he said, the new KUHAP also includes provisions on restorative justice mechanisms that allow investigators to resolve issues between citizens through a deliberative approach.
“If we refer to viral cases that were the theme of Commission III’s RDPU, such as the Nabilah O’Brien case, the Tri Wulandari teacher case in Muara Jambi, the Hogi Minaya case in Sleman, and others, their resolution could be carried out based on the provisions in the new KUHAP,” he stated.
The Police Reform Acceleration Commission submitted a final report containing six recommendations to President Prabowo Subianto to improve the police institution. The 10-volume report was handed over at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. Commission Chairman Jimly Asshiddiqie said the document contains various policy options for reform for the government and Polri.
Since its establishment on 7 November 2025, the Police Reform Commission completed the police report in three months. They conducted studies and met with stakeholders, including state institutions, civil society organisations, internal police, and visited several regions to gather public aspirations.
Here are the six recommendations submitted by the Police Reform Acceleration Commission to Prabowo:
- Polri Remains Under the President
The Police Reform Commission recommends that the police remain directly under the president. They do not recommend the discourse of placing Polri under a ministry.
The Police Reform Commission also concluded that a Police Ministry would bring more negative impacts than positive ones.
- Strengthening Kompolnas
The commission encourages strengthening the role of the National Police Commission or Kompolnas in overseeing Polri. One way is by proposing that Kompolnas membership not be based on positions or ex officio from other government institutions, but independent.
Kompolnas will consist of nine people from elements of former Polri high-ranking officials, advocates, community figures, academics, to environmental experts. Thus, the Police Reform Commission is confident that Kompolnas can truly oversee Polri and not just serve as a police spokesperson.
- Appointment of Police Chief Through DPR Approval
Jimly Asshiddiqie conveyed that there were differing opinions within his team regarding the mechanism for appointing the Police Chief. Some considered that the president’s appointment of the Police Chief does not need DPR approval.
Meanwhile, other commission members wanted DPR approval to remain necessary as it currently applies. “We reported that difference of opinion (to President Prabowo),” said Jimly after the meeting with Prabowo.
The Police Reform Commission then discussed the pros and cons of each opinion with Prabowo. The result, Jimly conveyed, is that the President agreed that the appointment of the Police Chief still requires DPR approval. “Mr President gave directions, just keep it as it is now. So the Police Chief is still appointed by the president with DPR approval as per current practice,” said Jimly.
- Limitation of Police Positions Outside Polri
The Police Reform Acceleration Commission proposes limitations on positions for police outside the Indonesian National Police structure. Jimly said President Prabowo Subianto has approved the proposal.
“It was decided by Mr President that specific positions (that police can hold) must be determined limitatively. So not like now, with no restrictions,” said Jimly after the meeting.
According to Jimly, police positions will be limited like military positions regulated in the Indonesian National Armed Forces Law or TNI Law. The limitation of police positions, he said, will be included in government regulations or laws.
- Institutional and Managerial Reform
The Police Reform Acceleration Commission also recommends improvements to bureaucratic governance within the police. Aspects that need reform include Polri’s institutional and managerial aspects.
Institutional aspects cover structural, instrumental, and cultural fields. Meanwhile, managerial aspects include governance, leadership, supervision, and digital transformation. Internal improvements to Polri are considered important to respond to public complaints about law enforcement and public services.
- Revision of Regulations
To implement the above recommendations, the Police Reform Commission recommends revising Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Republic of Indonesia National Police along with its derivatives such as Government Regulations and Presidential Regulations.