The Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform officially submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations to President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (5/5). The extensive report, which spans 10 volumes and totals over 3,000 pages, is the culmination of three months of intensive work. Alongside the full report, the commission provided a concise 13-page summary outlining the most critical findings.
The document details six primary pillars for police reform. Central to these recommendations is the confirmation that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) will remain directly under the President’s authority, and the current mechanism for appointing the National Police Chief (Kapolri) will remain unchanged.
Furthermore, the recommendations emphasize the strengthening of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) and a strategic revision of the Police Law, which includes stricter regulations regarding police officers serving in positions outside the institution.
Beyond legislative changes, the roadmap advocates for a total institutional and managerial overhaul. This transformation covers operational governance, human resources, budgeting, logistics, and oversight systems, as well as a push for digital integration through the “Polri Super App.”
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Jimly Asshiddiqie, Chairman of the Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform, explained that these recommendations serve as a comprehensive policy guide for the government and a blueprint for internal police improvements.
He noted that the commission has proposed a revision of the National Police Law, which will be supported by a series of implementing regulations, including Government Regulations, Presidential Regulations, and Presidential Instructions.
The internal reform agenda also includes updating internal police regulations, specifically revising eight Police Regulations and 24 National Police Chief Regulations. “We expect this to be completed by 2029. What we have produced is not just a short-term fix, but a long-term agenda,” Jimly stated during a press conference.
Summary of the Police Reform Commission’s Recommendations
The Position of the National Police Under the President
Jimly Asshiddiqie acknowledged that there were varying opinions within the commission during the drafting process, particularly regarding the idea of establishing a Ministry of Security. However, the commission ultimately reached a consensus not to propose such a ministry.
“The President asked for our input, and we explained our conclusion that the disadvantages outweighed the benefits. Therefore, we did not propose it,” Jimly clarified.
Appointment of the National Police Chief (Kapolri)
The commission also deliberated on potential adjustments to the appointment process of the Kapolri. While some members suggested that the appointment should no longer require House of Representatives (DPR) approval, others argued that the current system provides necessary checks and balances.
“After weighing the pros and cons, President Prabowo directed that the current system remain in place. Thus, the Kapolri will continue to be appointed by the President with the approval of the DPR, consistent with current practices for both the Police and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI),” Jimly added.
Strengthening Kompolnas
President Prabowo has signaled his support for strengthening the role of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas). The goal is to ensure that Kompolnas’ decisions and recommendations are legally binding, providing the body with more significant leverage in overseeing the police force.
Additionally, the commission proposed restructuring Kompolnas to move away from its current ex-officio membership. In the future, Kompolnas is envisioned as a more independent institution, allowing it to perform its oversight functions more effectively.
Jimly emphasized that these structural changes and the expansion of authority must be clearly codified in law to provide a solid legal foundation. This strengthening of Kompolnas will be a key component of the upcoming Police Law revision.
Revision of the National Police Law
The commission recommended revising Law No. 2 of 2002 regarding the Indonesian National Police as the cornerstone of the reform agenda. A major focus of this revision is the empowerment of Kompolnas, ensuring its mandates are mandatory for the National Police Chief to implement.
The revised law will also introduce stricter guidelines for the secondment of police officers to non-police duties, aiming to uphold the principles of professionalism and institutional accountability.
According to Jimly, the draft for these legislative changes is currently being prepared by the government through the Ministry of Law before being submitted to the DPR. “The discussion is currently at the DPR stage but has been temporarily postponed; the Minister of Law will soon incorporate these new recommendations,” he noted.
Restrictions on External Roles for Police Officers
Another key reform involves limiting the types of positions police officers can hold outside the police institution. Jimly stated that President Prabowo has decided these roles should be strictly defined and limited to specific positions, mirroring the regulations currently governing the TNI.
Jimly pointed out that, until now, there have been no clear boundaries for such placements. “Currently, there are no limits. This must be addressed in a Government Regulation or within the new law that will be finalized soon,” he said.
Comprehensive Institutional and Managerial Reform
The commission also recommended that the National Police align its core duties and functions with the principles of good bureaucratic governance. This includes both institutional aspects—structural, instrumental, and cultural—and managerial aspects.
Managerial reforms will target operational governance, leadership systems, oversight, and digital transformation. These recommendations are technical in nature and will require detailed follow-up, including the implementation of specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
The press conference was attended by several high-ranking officials and commission members, including former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD; Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra; and Deputy Coordinating Minister Otto Hasibuan.
Also in attendance were Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas, Special Advisor to the President for Security and Police Reform Ahmad Dofiri, former National Police Chief (2019-2021) Idham Aziz, and the current National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and former National Police Chief (2015-2016) Badrodin Haiti were absent from the event.
Summary
The Commission for the Acceleration of Police Reform has submitted a comprehensive reform agenda to President Prabowo Subianto, detailing six key pillars for institutional improvement. The recommendations prioritize maintaining the National Police under the President’s direct authority and keeping the current legislative appointment process for the National Police Chief. Furthermore, the plan calls for a significant strengthening of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas) to enhance oversight, alongside a strategic revision of the Police Law to regulate officer conduct and professional standards.
Beyond legislative updates, the roadmap demands a total institutional overhaul covering operational governance, budgeting, and digital transformation through the “Polri Super App.” The commission has also proposed strict limitations on the external roles of police officers to ensure institutional accountability. These reforms are intended to serve as a long-term strategy, with the government expected to finalize the necessary legal framework and internal regulations by 2029.