Indonesian National Police Explain Protest Management Stages: Law Enforcement as a Last Resort
The Indonesian National Police (Polri) have reaffirmed their full guarantee of the right to freedom of opinion in public. In its implementation, Polri is committed to prioritising a humanist and procedural approach in managing the expression of aspirations in public during August 2026.
This clarification was issued to correct information distortions and to achieve procedural justice and legal legitimacy. Polri ensures that all procedures for serving and securing the expression of citizens’ aspirations are conducted accountably and within the legal corridor.
“Polri works procedurally in the name of the law, is limited by the law, and possesses full legal accountability,” stated the Head of Public Relations of the Polri Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, on Tuesday (1/9/2026).
Brigadier General Trunoyudo stated that to achieve a conducive public order and security situation (kamtibmas), Polri has implemented measures to maintain community security, order, protection, and service through pre-emptive, preventive, and law enforcement efforts.
Pre-emptive Efforts: Detection, Education, and Literacy
Pre-emptive efforts are carried out through early detection, socialisation, education, and literacy. In the initial phase, Polri prioritises a humanist policing approach through early detection, early warning, and early prevention of all potential disturbances to prevent them from escalating into actual disruptions in both cyber and physical spaces.
“In the initial phase, Polri prioritises a humanist policing approach through early detection, early warning, and early prevention of all potential disturbances so that they do not develop into thresholds of disruption in both cyber and physical spaces,” added Trunoyudo.
Through a planned ‘cooling system’ strategy initiated during the socialisation phase, Polri actively builds citizen partnerships and multi-stakeholder orchestration. Polri involves community leaders, religious figures, academics, human rights organisations, and all civil elements to advocate for peace and maintain the conduciveness of their respective environments.
During the education and literacy stage, all public relations instruments are deployed to present educational narratives, counteract disinformation, and dampen social tensions so that the public understands the importance of maintaining national unity.
Preventive Efforts: Police Presence in Social Spaces
During the implementation stage of protests, the physical presence of uniformed personnel (such as Samapta, Sabhara, and Traffic units) at crucial points of vital objects and community activity routes is intended to increase a tangible deterrence effect.
The presence of Polri in the field is designed to facilitate the constitutional rights of citizens to express opinions, ensure traffic flow remains uninterrupted, and provide inclusive humanitarian protection, including through persuasive approaches such as the presence of humanist officers and female police officers (Polwan).
Law Enforcement Efforts: A Measured Ultimum Remedium
Trunoyudo stated that, in principle, Polri conducts law enforcement in an orderly manner. He emphasised that law enforcement is the last resort (ultimum remedium).
“Law enforcement and repressive actions are the final steps taken only if the situation has shifted from a potential disturbance to an actual disruption that threatens lives, human rights, or public facilities,” said the Head of Public Relations.
Absolute Legality and Accountability: Every firm action and law enforcement in the field is strictly based on the legal corridor, applicable laws, and the principle of procedural proportionality that can be accounted for.
Polri highly appreciates and continues to encourage active community participation in maintaining public order and security, specifically through synergy in the pre-emptive and preventive stages, and requests that any incidents be reported via the Polri Presisi super-app and the 110 Police service to maintain collective security and comfort.