PNP Chief Discusses Paradigm Shift from Protection to Public Service at Joint Iftar

National Police Chief (Kapolri) General Listyo Sigit Prabowo attended a joint breaking of fast (Iftar) with the leadership of the Indonesian Muslim Students Association (PB SEMMI). He shared details of his policies, including shifting his institution’s paradigm from protection to serving the public.

The event took place at the Aryaduta Hotel in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026. In attendance were the President of the Syarikat Islam Executive Council (LTSI) Hamdan Zoelva, the General Chairman of PB SEMMI Bintang Wahyu Saputra, and senior officials. The gathering, themed “United in the Holy Month of Ramadan to Realise the Eight-Point Agenda,” drew approximately 500 participants.

Opening his remarks, General Sigit expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the extended PB SEMMI family and other student elements. He described this Ramadan meeting as an extraordinary moment coinciding with the organisation’s national consolidation efforts.

“This is an extraordinary moment and opportunity for which we must be grateful. I offer my best wishes for your fasting practice and, on behalf of my institution, ask for forgiveness for any transgressions,” said General Sigit.

The atmosphere became more relaxed when the Police Chief mentioned his closeness to the activist community. He acknowledged his pleasure in meeting students, noting that the police force’s duty requires communication with all segments of society to maintain public order and security.

General Sigit even made a lighthearted remark about his retirement plans.

“Mr Hamdan is right, our elder, that I have met many activists and, praise be to God, my plan after retirement is to become an activist myself. So I reckon I have had enough training. From inviting discussions to being demonstrated against, I have done it all,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.

The Police Chief then reminded students, as the next generation, of the importance of maintaining national unity. He reflected on Indonesian history, which had once been colonised by foreign powers due to internal divisions.

Unity, General Sigit continued, is crucial, particularly given the current unfavourable global situation, including the impact of Middle Eastern conflicts affecting the national situation.

“We may differ in our thoughts and opinions, but there is one thing we must protect—knowing the limits within which we must maintain unity for our beloved nation. The period 2030–2035 is our demographic dividend opportunity to leap towards becoming a developed nation. We must not let this opportunity pass because we are divided,” he emphasised.

Regarding the police force’s role, General Sigit affirmed that his institution deeply values freedom of expression as a mandate from the reform era. He stressed that the police force continues to work towards making the institution more humane in serving the public.

“We have adopted a new paradigm—changing from protecting to serving. We have communicated that this is the task of us all, particularly the police ranks, to continuously fulfil this mandate,” said General Sigit.

Concluding his remarks, the Police Chief entrusted the police force to the students. He hoped synergy between the police and students would remain strong. He also asked students not to hesitate in offering constructive criticism to the police force.

“I entrust the police force to you. If any officers misbehave, please rebuke them, please scold them. But the good ones, please look after them. What is clear is that the police force will continue to fulfil what has become the mandate of reform,” he concluded.

At the event attended by approximately 500 participants, the Police Chief was accompanied by senior officials from police headquarters, including the Head of Police Intelligence Komjen Yuda Gustawan, the Police Chief’s Human Resources Deputy Irjen Anwar, the Head of Police Internal Affairs Irjen Abdul Karim, the Head of Police Public Relations Johnny Eddizon Isir, and the Head of Police Medical Services Irjen Asep Hendradiana.

The Police Chief’s presence at this student forum underscored the importance of youth and intellectual voices in maintaining national unity, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, in support of achieving national development targets outlined in President Prabowo Subianto’s Eight-Point Agenda.

Beyond the iftar meal itself, the event also featured humanitarian initiatives. The Police Chief presented a symbolic handover of aid packages and groceries. A total of 50 grocery packages were distributed containing staple items such as rice, cooking oil, and sugar. Additionally, 50 aid packages were provided for orphaned children.