Prabowo: Law Enforcement Must Not Be Selective
President Prabowo Subianto has asserted that law enforcement in Indonesia must side with justice and must not become an instrument for the interests of specific groups. This message was delivered alongside his appreciation for the Indonesian National Police’s (Polri) success in uncovering various crimes, ranging from narcotics to the eradication of online gambling and terrorism. Prabowo made these remarks while delivering his mandate during the 80th Bhayangkara Day Commemoration Ceremony in Bogor Regency on Wednesday (1/7/2026).
The Head of State emphasised that the threats facing the nation today stem not only from conventional crimes but also from increasingly complex criminal activities. Narcotics, online gambling, human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, corruption, smuggling, illegal mining and plantation activities, as well as white-collar crime, were cited as issues that cause significant losses to the state.
Nevertheless, Prabowo expressed his gratitude to the National Police and various related agencies for their success in dismantling thousands of narcotics cases, eradicating online gambling in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), and maintaining zero terrorism incidents in recent years.
“I appreciate the success of the National Police alongside other institutions in continuing to uncover and reveal thousands of narcotics cases, and together with Komdigi, eradicating online gambling, as well as successfully maintaining zero terrorism incidents over the past few years,” said Prabowo.
While noting these achievements, the Head of State warned all law enforcement officials not to become complacent. In his view, the challenges ahead remain immense as the public continues to struggle with poverty triggered by corruption, smuggling, and various illegal economic activities. Prabowo emphasised that Indonesia is a state governed by law, meaning every official is obligated to ensure the law serves as a protector of the community, especially for the vulnerable.
“The law must be a protector of the people; the law must provide a sense of security to honest citizens. The law must be a place of refuge for the weak. The law must not be sharp downwards and blunt upwards. The law must not become a tool for those with money. The law must not be a tool for political vengeance. The law must not be used for the interests of any single group,” he stated.
He also warned against practices of criminalisation or the abuse of authority in law enforcement. According to Prablamo, no one should be immune to the law, while those seeking justice must receive protection.
He reaffirmed that the most vulnerable citizens must be the priority in legal protection. Those seeking truth and justice must be well-served, the righteous must feel secure, and every perpetrator of violations must be held accountable for their actions in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
He further noted that without adequate economic conditions, families’ attention is often consumed by survival rather than the upbringing of their children. One of the primary requirements for creating a healthy business climate, he continued, is legal certainty.
President Prabowo Subianto also emphasised the importance of strengthening the judiciary and safeguarding state assets from looting for the welfare of the 287 million people. Furthermore, he warned that Indonesian democracy must not be hijacked by the interests of capital owners or foreign influences that have the potential to divide the nation’s unity.