The Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform has submitted its recommendations to President Prabowo Subianto, but the proposal is being criticized as weak and lacking “punching power.” Observers suggest the commission may have been a political ploy by the President to address public outrage following police repression during the public protests of August 2025.
Public anger during those demonstrations reached a peak after a Mobile Brigade tactical vehicle ran over Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver. This event, combined with police corruption and public disgust over the perceived flaunting of wealth by members of the House of Representatives (DPR), created a volatile environment where various groups viewed the police as a common enemy, leading to demands for the dismissal of the National Police Chief.
Political Tensions and Institutional Influence
The period of unrest was further complicated by political maneuvering. A Tempo investigation revealed that military officers attempted to incite unrest to delegitimize the police, with mobs believed to be directed by the military raiding and ransacking the homes of several DPR members.
Critics argue that the Police Reform Acceleration Commission was designed to be unprogressive. While the team included legal experts—such as former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Jimly Asshiddiqie, former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Md., and Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra—they were reportedly surrounded by police generals who pressured them against proposing radical improvements.
The influence of the National Police Chief, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, is highlighted by the fact that he formed his own reform team before the President’s commission was even established. President Prabowo has relied heavily on Gen. Listyo to execute major projects, including:
- Nutrition Initiatives: The police established free nutritious meal kitchens to support the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).
- Agricultural Goals: The mobilization of regency and subdistrict police to ensure corn self-sufficiency, which resulted in bumper crops in areas not previously known for corn production.
Gen. Listyo maintains a strong connection to former President Joko Widodo, having served as a presidential aide during Jokowi’s first term and as the Chief of the Solo City Police Department.
Analysis of the Recommendations
The commission’s final output was a four-page condensation of a 3,000-page review. While the most clear recommendation was to strengthen the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), several radical proposals were eliminated, including:
- Placing the police under the National Security Ministry.
- Limiting the term of office for the National Police Chief.
- Reforming the militaristic mentality of the Mobile Brigade.
Because the commission failed to recommend placing the police organization under a government ministry, the process for selecting the National Police Chief remains a nomination by the President and a choice by the DPR—a process described as lacking transparency. This structure may lead the Police Chief to prioritize the political needs of the President and the House over the needs of the community and the force. Police representatives on the commission defended this process, arguing that the DPR is a necessary partner for budgets and policy.
One recommendation viewed as commendable is the restriction of active-duty police officers in government ministries and state institutions. This aligns with Constitutional Court Decisions No. 114/PUU-XXIII/2025 and No. 223/PUU-XXIII/2025, which prohibit police from holding civilian positions unless they resign or retire. The commission noted that such placements could only occur if the officers are put on special assignment by the National Police Chief.
Future Implications
The future of the institution now rests with President Prabowo. If the administration prioritizes political gain over systemic change, the police force may continue to deteriorate. A possible next step depends on whether the President chooses to adopt the more radical reforms that were omitted from the commission’s final proposal.
