National Police Urges Unity and Democracy: Express Views Peacefully
Indonesia’s National Police (Polri) has called on all sections of society to preserve unity, nurture democracy, and maintain public security and order. The public has also been urged to respect differences, express their views peacefully, and use social media wisely and responsibly.
Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, head of the Public Information Bureau at Polri’s Public Relations Division, said security and order were a shared responsibility requiring the public’s active participation.
He said differing views in a democracy should be approached maturely, while continuing to respect the rights of others and the common good.
“Polri respects every citizen’s right to express opinions and aspirations. We invite the public to do so peacefully, in an orderly and responsible manner, while respecting the rights of others so that all activities can proceed smoothly,” Trunoyudo said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (27 October).
Trunoyudo explained that the full range of public activities, from economic and educational pursuits to government and social life, needed to take place safely and in an orderly manner.
For that reason, he said, mutual respect was important to ensure that freedom of expression went hand in hand with public order and comfort.
As well as maintaining order in public spaces, Trunoyudo urged people to be more cautious about information encountered online.
The public was asked to check the accuracy and context of information before sharing it, and not to be easily provoked by narratives that could cause misunderstanding or divide society.
“Differences of opinion are part of democracy. What we need to safeguard is how those differences are handled: wisely, through communication, and without being easily provoked by unverified information. Let us use social media responsibly to preserve unity,” he said.
According to Trunoyudo, preserving unity requires more than calls for solidarity; it must also be reflected in everyday actions. This can be done by maintaining order in local communities, avoiding violence, respecting differences and showing greater concern for others.
He stressed that collaboration between Polri and the public was an important factor in creating a safe and stable public-security environment. Community involvement was needed both to look after local areas and to prevent potential security disturbances.
Polri also said it would continue to prioritise professional, humane and persuasive service in carrying out its duties.
The approach is intended to ensure that the public’s right to express its views is respected while also protecting the interests of the wider community.
“Security and order are not solely Polri’s responsibility; they require the involvement of every section of society. Let us make our differences a strength in building the nation, strengthening unity and keeping Indonesia safe, peaceful and stable,” he concluded.
Under the banner ‘Polri Together with the Community’, the force called on all sections of the nation to continue nurturing democracy, strengthening tolerance and preserving unity. These efforts are expected to support harmonious community life and create a safe and comfortable environment for all.