Police Viewed as a Key Pillar in Safeguarding Stability and Civil Supremacy

JAKARTA - Director of Indonesian Political House, Fernando Emas, emphasized that the Indonesian National Police (Polri) was an institution born from the 1998 reform so that its position was part of an armed civil society.

Fernando said that this view is in line with the motto 'Police are the community and the community is the police', which illustrates the importance of close relations between the Police and the community in maintaining stability and security.

According to him, the existence of the National Police is very much needed in strengthening the implementation of civilian supremacy in Indonesia. He assessed that civil society needs partners who have closeness and common vision to ensure that the principles of civil supremacy run effectively.

"Based on experience so far, the National Police can be trusted to be a partner of civil society in supporting civilian supremacy," Fernando said in his statement, Thursday, November 27.

He added that the National Police would not deny its role in enforcing civilian supremacy because the institution works based on the constitution. Fernando emphasized that the involvement of the National Police aims to provide support, assistance, and control, not take over or weaken the role of civilians.

With the ability of trained personnel, Fernando said, the National Police can become friends of civil society in maintaining the sustainability of civilian supremacy, including facing potential threats from groups that seek to weaken democratic governance.

"Never in the history of Indonesia have the Police betrayed the civilian supremacy. Therefore, do not be afraid to involve the Police in an effort to maintain civilian supremacy," he said.