Indonesia's Constitutional Court has ruled that active police officers cannot hold civil positions without resigning or retiring. The decision addresses a legal loophole in the Police Law and prompts withdrawals from various ministries. Some ministers highlight the benefits of police presence, while Polri forms a team for implementation.
On November 20, 2025, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik S Deyang, assured no active Polri members remain in the agency following the Constitutional Court (MK) Ruling No. 114/PUU-XXIII/2025. Previously, Brigadier General Sony Sanjaya served as Deputy Head of BGN, appointed by President Prabowo Subianto on September 17, 2025, via Presidential Decree 97/2025. Nanik stated Sony retired on November 1, 2025. "Pak Sony has retired, on November 1," she said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
The MK ruling eliminates the phrase 'or not based on assignment from the National Police Chief' in the Explanation of Article 28 paragraph (3) of Law No. 2 of 2002 on Polri, deeming it unconstitutional under the 1945 Constitution. MK Chief Suhartoyo read the verdict, granting the petition by advocate Syamsul Jahidin and student Christian Adrianus Sihite. Justice Ridwan Mansyur clarified that Polri members must resign or retire for external positions, removing normative ambiguity.
In response, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo withdrew Inspector General Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs via a letter dated November 20, 2025, for internal career development. Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Head of Polri's Public Information Bureau, confirmed this as follow-up to the MK ruling. Polri established a Working Group (Pokja) for rapid review to avoid misinterpretation and coordinate with relevant ministries.
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman described the presence of Polri members as 'very helpful' in his ministry. Similarly, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia noted that collaboration with police and prosecutors strengthens oversight. "Very, very (helpful)," Bahlil said. The ruling reinforces separation of roles to maintain institutional independence.
