ProDEM activist group has sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto urging him to maintain Polri's position directly under the president, not under a ministry. National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo has firmly rejected the idea, backed by legal experts emphasizing Polri's constitutional design as an independent institution.
Jakarta – The Pro Demokrasi Activists Network (ProDEM) supports keeping the Indonesian National Police (Polri) directly under the President of the Republic of Indonesia. ProDEM Chairman Iwan Sumule sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, requesting careful consideration of proposals to place Polri under a ministry. He emphasized that Polri is not merely a state instrument but a guardian of democracy, loyal to its civil principles in line with the 1998 reform spirit. “Consistency with reform principles, Polri as a civil institution. ProDEM believes Mr. President always upholds the reform spirit, namely the commitment to transform Polri into a professional civil police institution free from militaristic culture,” Iwan Sumule stated in a written release. The argument is grounded in Article 30 Paragraph (4) of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, which positions Polri as a state tool for maintaining security and public order, with direct command under the head of state. ProDEM worries that placement under a ministry could fragment the national security system and hinder swift responses to stability dynamics. Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo firmly rejected the proposal on the same day. His stance is backed by Professor Syafrinaldi, a law expert from Riau Islamic University, who states Polri was designed independent from the outset based on the 1945 Constitution, MPR Decree No. VII/MPR/2000, and Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police. “If we read the full legal construction, from the 1945 Constitution to the MPR Decree, it is clear that Polri was designed from the start as an institution standing directly under the President. This design aims to maintain Polri's professionalism, neutrality, and independence in enforcing the law,” Prof. Syafrinaldi said. He warned that shifting Polri's position could create a longer chain of command, blurred accountability, and pulls of sectoral political interests. The current setup ensures Polri functions objectively without short-term political interference.
