Prabowo Denies Police Reform is Stalled, Country Needs Clean Law Enforcement

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised his commitment to continuing reforms in the Indonesian National Police (Polri) amid concerns that various recommendations for change often remain merely on paper. He described improving law enforcement institutions as part of the broader national transformation agenda mandated by the people.

According to Prabowo, reform does not solely depend on the recommendations of the Polri Reform Committee led by Jimly Asshiddiqie, but is a continuous process that the government must undertake comprehensively.

“What I am saying is the desire to improve all institutions, including the police, does not solely have to come from a reform committee. But the reform committee is a very important tool,” he stated during a discussion with several figures broadcast on the Prabowo Subianto YouTube channel, quoted on Sunday (22/3).

He opened the possibility that some recommendations would be implemented immediately, while others could be postponed for certain considerations.

“Yes, we will study it later, which ones we can do quickly, we will do. Which ones we think cannot be done yet, yes, we might postpone,” said Prabowo.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that the standards to be achieved cannot be compromised, namely law enforcement officers who are professional, clean, and full of integrity.

“The country needs law enforcement institutions that are professional, clean, uncorrupted, full of integrity; that is absolute,” stated the Head of State.

He also stressed the importance of giving space for institutions to carry out internal improvements before further government intervention is undertaken.

In practice, Prabowo claimed that there have already been actions against problematic officials, both in the police and military. He assessed that this direction shows improvement is starting to progress.

Prabowo also touched on broader issues, such as illegal practices involving rogue officials, from smuggling to illegal mining.

He questioned the weakness of field supervision if such practices still occur.

“How can there be illegal mining, the Babinsa doesn’t know, the Danramil doesn’t know, the Kodim doesn’t know, the Danrem doesn’t know. What’s the point of having such officials?” he said.

According to him, reform must not target only one institution, but must encompass all law enforcement apparatus, including the TNI.

“I am a TNI alumnus, the TNI must clean itself up. I don’t want my institution, which is so loved by the people, to be tarnished by officials,” he said.

“So, my answer is, good police and great and good soldiers, that is the demand of the people. Not the taste of the leadership,” Prabowo concluded.