The Police Reform Team Is Considered Only A Political Gimmick

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) Jakarta assessed that the discourse on forming the Police Reform Commission was nothing more than a political gimmick.

This was conveyed by a press conference entitled Death Suri Police Reform: Police Reform Commission? Gimmick or Unstitutional? which was held at the PBHI Jakarta secretariat on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Legal Association (PBHI) Jakarta, Yohanes Bidaya, said that the police reform echoed by the government for a long time had experienced setbacks because it had never touched the root of the problem.

Instead of presenting an independent institution, this idea will only be an imaging stage to cover the dilapidation of the police body. In fact, the practice of violence, corruption, and the involvement of officers in illegal business are still fertile in sight," said Yohanes.

Yohanes continued, this commission is feared to be only a temporary political project. Without real authority that can change the culture of the police.

"If you really want to be serious, the government should encourage the strengthening of external supervision and transparency of the legal process, not creating new institutions whose mandate is unclear," he said.

Not only that, Yohanes also mentioned that the public has been treated to police reform gimmicks that have ended in failures.

Reformation of the Police has died suri. The Commission will only add a pile of empty promises. What is needed is a political will to take action against officials who violate the law and strengthen institutional accountability," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Yuli Riswati, a Marsinah Community activist, said that criticism should be directed at the side of the police in various ways.

If the police continue to be on the side of the oligarchy and power, then any commission will be meaningless. Police reform must be returned to the interests of the people, not the political elite," said Yuli.

It is known, President Prabowo immediately formed a commission to evaluate and reform the Police. Police reform is one of the public demands, including the Nation Conscience Movement (GNB) which contains interfaith figures and community leaders.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections (Menko Kumham Imipas) Yusril Ihza Mahendra said President Prabowo Subianto was preparing a Presidential Decree (Keppres) related to the formation of the Police Reform Commission.

The commission was formed to formulate various ideas of changes that need to be made to the body of the National Police, which will then be submitted to the President.

"There is no target yet when it will be formed, but indeed the presidential decree has been prepared and may be sworn in for the day or two," said Yusril.

According to Yusril, the commission will be given several months to complete the formulation of Polri reform, including reviewing the position, scope, duties, and authorities of the police institution.

If the formulation has been completed, the idea of Polri reform will be outlined in the revision of Law Number 2 of 2002 concerning the Indonesian National Police.

"The law, which has been implemented for more than 20 years, needs to be re-evaluated so that it is in accordance with current conditions and the demands of the community," said Yusril.