National Police Chief Invites Youth to Become Digital Security Ambassadors
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo delivered a message to Indonesia’s younger generation, inviting them to utilise technological developments as a space for creativity, achievement, and contributing to security in the digital realm. The message was conveyed at the closing of the E-Sports Kapolri Cup 2026 on Sunday (9/8/2026).
Kapolri noted that E-Sports has evolved far beyond mere entertainment. The combination of technology, creativity, strategy, and competition has formed a professional ecosystem that opens up space for young people to develop their talents while creating new economic opportunities. This development aligns with the increasingly strong position of the digital space in public life. In 2025, the number of internet users in Indonesia reached 229 million people, or 80.7 percent of the total population. During the same period, Indonesia’s digital economy value was recorded at US$99 billion, making it the largest in Southeast Asia.
According to Kapolri, this momentum must be directed into a productive force. E-Sports now not only produces athletes but also opens opportunities for coaches, content creators, game developers, animators, data analysts, and professionals in the cybersecurity sector. “The National Police is here not merely to follow trends, but to ensure that this development becomes a positive force for the younger generation and the nation’s progress,” said General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
This commitment was realised through the E-Sports Kapolri Cup 2026, which was held in stages from the district police level to the national level. Public enthusiasm was evident from the participation of 35,936 contestants competing in seven categories. The large participation rate indicates the high interest of the younger generation in developing creativity and digital skills into achievements. However, Kapolri also reminded that rapid technological development presents new challenges. Online gambling, digital fraud, personal data theft, account hijacking, and the misuse of artificial intelligence are among the threats that must be faced together. Throughout 2026, the National Police uncovered 1,743 digital crime cases, with the most common being fraud, gambling, and defamation.
Therefore, Kapolri views the E-Sports community as an important part of building a healthy digital culture. The participants are considered to have significant influence among the younger generation and can act as agents of change to divert counterproductive activities, such as illegal street racing, brawls, and vandalism, towards positive, productive, and achievement-oriented activities. Kapolri then invited all participants of the E-Sports Kapolri Cup 2026 to become Security and Public Order Ambassadors by actively participating with the National Police in eradicating hoaxes, hate speech, radicalism, bullying, online gambling, and drug abuse. “Be a champion in competition, an agent of change in social circles, and a guardian of goodness in the digital space,” Kapolri urged.
Through the E-Sports Kapolri Cup, the National Police aims to build a competitive space that does not stop at finding winners, but also serves as a platform for shaping skilled, creative, and socially responsible individuals. With a safe, healthy, and productive digital ecosystem, the potential of the younger generation is expected to develop into superior and globally competitive human resources towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. The E-Sports Kapolri Cup 2026 was a collaboration between local e-sports activists, associations, the National Police, the private sector, and the government, reflecting President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s concern for the younger generation in facing the rapidly developing digital era, particularly the advancement of AI which is disrupting jobs. The event was also successfully held with the support of sponsors, without using state budget funds.