Police Commissioner Suyudi: The Police Do Not Lose Authority by Being Friendly

Police Chief candidate Suyudi Aert Seto has spoken out regarding public perceptions of police services to the community. Recently, particularly on social media, a public perception has emerged regarding the ‘No Viral, No Justice’ phenomenon, implying that legal cases are not promptly handled by the police unless they go viral.

Responding to this, Suyudi emphasised that every police officer must handle reports or cases according to the law, rather than paying attention only when a case becomes viral.

“For victims, a police report represents the hope that the state is present. Complainants have the right to know the progress of their cases, which can be disclosed without having to seek informal access to investigators,” said Suyudi ahead of his fit and proper test at Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in the parliamentary complex, Jakarta, on Thursday morning.

Suyudi further asserted that in law enforcement, the process must appear fair; the public must be heard, respected, and provided with explanations. He added that the community must see rules being applied consistently.

“The logic that needs to change is not ‘report and wait to go viral before being noticed,’ but rather ’report, verify, handle, provide updates, and resolve progress in accordance with the law,” stated the man who previously served as the Head of the National Narcotics Board (BNN) RI.

Furthermore, Suyudi emphasised that strong protection must be accompanied by strong supervision. “The police do not lose authority by being friendly. Modern authority is born from competence, integrity, and proportional firmness,” he stated.

“‘Police together with the community’ is not merely a jargon that serves as a substitute for a grand strategy,” Suyudi added.

After passing the fit and proper test at Commission III, the DPR Plenary Session approved Police Commissioner Suyudi Ario Seto to be inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto as the National Police Chief, replacing Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

The Speaker of the House, Puan Maharani, mentioned that the plan is for Suyudi to be inaugurated by Prabowo at the Palace this Thursday.