National Police Chief Rejects Police Ministry, Seen as Safeguarding Professionalism and Neutrality

JAKARTA - Coordinator of the Indonesian Raya Youth Front (FPIR), Fauzan Ohorella, appreciates the firm stance of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo who rejects the discourse on the formation of a police ministry and confirms the position of the National Police which remains directly under the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to Fauzan, the decision reflects the commitment of the National Police Chief to maintain the constitution and the principles of the constitutional system as stipulated in the law, which places the National Police as a state instrument that is directly responsible to the President.

"We assess the attitude of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo is very appropriate and visionary. The National Police under the President is an affirmation that the police institution must remain neutral, professional, and not be caught up in the tug-of-war of bureaucratic political interests," said Fauzan in his statement, Monday, January 26.

Fauzan assessed that the discourse on the formation of a police ministry has the potential to add to the complexity of bureaucracy and open up greater political intervention in the National Police institution. In fact, at present the National Police is carrying out a major agenda of institutional transformation through the Precision program which emphasizes professionalism, transparency, and improving public services.

"The rejection of the police ministry discourse is a strategic step to maintain the dignity and independence of the National Police. The police institution must focus on strengthening the culture of the organization, improving the quality of human resources, and enforcing the law fairly," he said.

FPIR also assessed the consistency of the National Police Chief in maintaining the position of the National Police under the President shows partiality to the interests of the people, not to the interests of elites and momentary political dynamics.

"This is a strong signal that the National Police wants to remain on the path of reform and transformation. We encourage this attitude to be supported by all elements of the nation so that the National Police can truly become a professional, modern, and trusted institution," concluded Fauzan.