National Police Chief Urges Youth to Utilise Demographic Bonus Momentum
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has urged the younger generation to utilise the momentum of the demographic bonus by continuously improving their self-quality, education, skills, and character. Sigit reminded them that this opportunity occurs only once.
The Police Chief made these remarks during his keynote address at the 2026 National Scout Camp for the Persatuan Ummat Islam (PUI) at the Selabintana Camping Ground, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, on Thursday (3/9/2026).
According to the Police Chief, the demographic bonus presents a massive opportunity for Indonesia, as the productive-age population will exceed the non-productive population. This momentum must be well-prepared to serve as a driving force for Indonesia to leap towards becoming a developed nation.
“This momentum only happens once in every country. If we succeed in utilising this momentum by improving human resource quality and working hard, we are confident Indonesia will make the leap to become a developed nation,” said the Police Chief.
Consequently, the Police Chief emphasised the importance of preparing the younger generation from an early age. He noted that the success of leveraging the demographic bonus is heavily determined by the quality of the next generation, who must possess not only knowledge and skills but also character, discipline, empathy, and a spirit of unity.
In this context, the Police Chief assessed that the Scout Movement (Gerakan Pramuka) holds a strategic position in preparing superior generations and future leaders. The various training and education within the Scouts habituate young people to discipline, independence, mutual cooperation, socialisation, and a sense of care for others.
The Police Chief even shared his personal experience as a Scout member, from the Siaga level in primary school through to upper secondary school. This experience reinforces his belief that the Scouts are an ideal platform for young people to develop their potential and prepare for the future.
“I am certain that those before me are chosen individuals who have made the right choice in selecting the Scout Movement as a platform to prepare themselves as the next generation in the future,” he said.
On the other hand, the Police Chief warned that the demographic bonus could become a challenge if the younger generation is not properly prepared. Various negative influences, such as drugs, online gambling, brawls, gang involvement, crime, and the spread of negative ideologies via social media, must be guarded against as they can ruin the future of the youth.
The Police Chief requested that technological advancements should not be avoided but rather utilised wisely as a means to enhance capabilities. The presence of smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence, and various digital platforms has opened increasingly wide opportunities for the youth to acquire knowledge without being limited by space or time.
To support the improvement of human resource quality, the Police Chief stated that the government continues to expand educational access through various programmes, including the People’s School (Sekolah Rakyat), excellence schools, transformation schools, distance learning, and the LPDP scholarship programme. The National Police also contributes through the Kemala Taruna Bhayangkara High School as part of the effort to prepare future leaders.
The Police Chief also reminded the youth that Indonesia’s progress requires unity amidst diversity. The values of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) must not stop at mere memorisation but must be realised in daily life.
He noted that the diversity of tribes, cultures, and the various potential resources possessed by Indonesia will become a great strength if all elements of the nation are able to maintain them within the framework of unity and integrity.
“You are all future successors, future leaders of the nation. Therefore, you must protect and nurture one another, and continue to strengthen unity and integrity. Only through unity and integrity will Indonesia become advanced,” the Police Chief asserted.
In addition to preparing personal capabilities, the Police Chief encouraged Scout members to continue being beneficial to society. The skills acquired in Scouting can be implemented through involvement in disaster management, community service, assisting in the security of public activities, and environmental conservation.
The Police Chief also invited the Scouts to become pioneers of the ASRI movement (Safe, Healthy, Clean, and Beautiful) through real actions such as maintaining environmental cleanliness, reducing waste, and planting trees.
Concluding his speech, the Police Chief emphasised that the National Police is ready to be a friend to the younger generation in developing their potential and achieving their ambitions. He hoped that all participants of the PUI National Scout Camp would continue to prepare themselves to play a role in Indonesia’s journey towards the future.
“Keep creating, keep developing yourselves, and consider the police as your friends. We in the police force are always ready to support and encourage all of you to achieve your dreams,” he messaged.
The 2026 PUI National Scout Camp was attended by 5,499 participants, consisting of 3,957 Scouts as well as representatives from student organisations (OSIS), university students, PUI youth, teachers, administrators, and various members of the PUI extended family.