PDIP's Notes on the Police Bill: From Retirement Age Limits to Active Police Placement in Civilian Posts

The PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) faction has agreed that the Bill on the Third Amendment to Law Number 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police (the Police Bill) should proceed to the Level II Deliberation or decision-making at the plenary meeting. However, PDIP included several critical notes concerning the independence of the police institution, the retirement age limit, and the placement of active police personnel outside the police institution. Member of House of Representatives Commission III from the PDIP faction, I Wayan Sudirta, stated that amendments to the Police Law must adhere to the principles of the rule of law, civilian supremacy, neutrality, public accountability, and respect for human rights. According to him, these changes must not eliminate the spirit of police reform as mandated in MPR Decree No. VII/MPR/2000. ‘The National Police is a state instrument that works professionally to enforce the law and serve the community, not a tool of power serving the interests of rulers, groups, or certain factions,’ Wayan said during the delivery of the mini-faction view at the DPR RI Building, Jakarta, Tuesday, 9 June 2026. Wayan stressed that every police member is obliged to maintain independence, uphold the supremacy of law, and place the interests of the people and justice above all forms of political pressure or other narrow interests. ‘The principles of protection, transparency, professionalism, accountability, humanism, and openness must always form the foundation in every execution of duties,’ he stated. Regarding the placement of active police officers outside the police institution, Wayan requested stricter regulation. He insisted that any placement must be limited and based on statutory regulations to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain professionalism. Concerning changes to the age limit and the extension of the retirement period for police members, he emphasised the need to consider career path structuring, meritocracy, regeneration, and cadre development so as not to hinder promotion opportunities for high-achieving personnel. ‘Furthermore, to ensure legal certainty and avoid conflicts of interest, the provision for extending the retirement age that affects the highest leadership position in the National Police should apply to the official who will hold the position next, not to the official currently serving when the policy is enacted, after the restructuring of career paths and regeneration strategies within the police force have been implemented,’ he explained.