Minister Of Home Affairs Tito Rejects Police Proposal Under The Ministry Of Home Affairs

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian firmly rejected the proposal that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) institution be under the institutional structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri).

"I object," Tito said firmly when asked about the discourse reported by ANTARA, Monday, December 2.

When asked about the background of the rejection, the National Police Chief for the term of office from July 13, 2016 to October 22, 2019 said that the position of the National Police institution which is currently directly under the President is the will of reform.

"Yes, because it has always been separated under the President, that is the will of reform. That's all," he said.

Tito's statement refers to the context of reform after the New Order era in Indonesia which made the decision to separate the National Police from the TNI so that the Police become a more independent and professional institution, and focus more on law enforcement tasks, public order, and public protection.

Previously, the National Police was under the TNI structure. Through reforms, the National Police was placed directly under the President to ensure accountability to the country's highest civilian leaders and keep military influence away from their operations.

The proposal for the National Police to be under the Ministry of Home Affairs was previously submitted by the Chairperson of the PDIP DPP Deddy Sitorus at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (28/11).

PDIP proposed that the position of the National Police be returned under the TNI or the Ministry of Home Affairs after Megawati's party felt that their defeat in the 2024 Pilkada was caused by the influence of the deployment of the police.