Prabowo Decides Mechanism for Appointing National Police Chief Remains Unchanged, Still Requires DPR Approval

Jakarta – The Chairman of the National Police Reform Acceleration Commission, Jimly Asshiddiqie, reported the results of the commission’s work to President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.

One of the outcomes of the police reform formulation is that the mechanism for appointing the National Police Chief will not undergo any changes.

He admitted that there had been differences of opinion within the internal commission on police reform. However, President Prabowo provided guidance to keep the appointment process involving the role of parliament as a confirmation function.

“We also reported that there were differences of opinion regarding the method of appointing the National Police Chief; some among us believed that the appointment of the National Police Chief does not need to be confirmed or receive approval from the DPR. Some among us believed it should remain as it is now. After discussing the pros and cons, the President gave guidance that it should stay as it is now,” said Jimly.

Jimly emphasised that the National Police Chief will still be appointed by the President with the approval of the DPR, similar to the practice applied to the TNI Commander. According to him, this fulfils parliament’s right to approve or disapprove the proposed candidate.

“So the National Police Chief will still be appointed by the President with approval from the DPR as per the current practice, both for the National Police and the TNI Commander in accordance with the legal provisions. This is not the DPR’s domain for a fitness test but rather approval or disapproval; that is called the parliament’s right to confirm. So it’s different; the President only proposes one name, and the DPR may approve or not,” said Jimly.

“Even though in practice so far it has always been approved. So after a long discussion, the President decided to keep it as it is now,” he added.