Regeneration and Meritocracy Must be the Main Consideration for the Replacement of the National Police Chief

JAKARTA - Political researcher of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Wasisto Raharjo Jati, hopes that the aspects of regeneration and meritocracy will be the main consideration even though the change of the national police chief is the prerogative of the president.

"Although this is a political decision, the president needs to consider regeneration so that there is no leadership gap between generations in the National Police and also consider meritocracy as proposed by the National Police Promotion and High Position Council (Wanjakti)," he said, Sunday, August 9.

He assessed that the decision regarding the replacement of the national police chief ultimately depends very much on the president's political commitment in responding to various aspirations that are developing in society, including the assessment of the performance of the National Police.

"I think again on the political commitment of the president, especially in considering various aspirations that have emerged related to police performance," he added.

According to Wasisto, the change of the national police chief cannot be interpreted as a change of figure.

Because, what is more important is the goal that wants to be achieved from the change of leadership in the body of the National Police. The change of leadership will not bring meaningful changes, if the various problems that the National Police has been facing are still unresolved.

"If you just replace people but the problems in the body of the National Police remain the same, yes it doesn't mean much. But if regeneration becomes a momentum to improve professionalism, law enforcement, transparency, and especially the public's trust in the National Police, then the change of leadership can be something positive," he said.

Wasisto emphasized that regeneration is a natural and healthy process in an organization.

However, the momentum of the change and the figure chosen must really be directed to strengthen institutions, not just to meet political interests.

"So I see that regeneration is necessary and healthy in an organization. It remains to be seen how the momentum is and who the figure is chosen. Don't let the change be only about political interests, but it must really be part of strengthening the institution of the National Police in the future," he said.