Retaining Police Chief Listyo Seen as Prabowo’s Strategic Move to Maintain Stability

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - Academics as well as political analyst Boni Hargens responded to the pressure of the civil society coalition and a number of elements of society demanding the replacement of National Police Chief Listyo Sigit after the mass action at the end of August 2025 yesterday.

Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, read out 12 demands of civil society, last August 29, 2025, one of which was a suggestion to President Prabowo to remove the National Police Chief.

Responding to the pressure, Boni Hargens assessed that National Police Chief Listyo Sigit is a symbol of the National Police institution which currently plays an important role in maintaining national security stability in the midst of a dynamic political situation. According to Boni, President Prabowo actually needed Listyo Sigit to maintain the stability of the nation and state.

As soldiers who are ready to carry out the president's orders, said Boni, Listyo focuses on maintaining order and security, including taking firm action against mass actions that threaten the police headquarters (Mako Brimob).

"On President Prabowo's orders, and in cross-sectoral coordination with the TNI and BIN leaders, the National Police Chief managed to control the situation. That is an achievement that should be appreciated," said Boni Hargens to reporters, Saturday, September 6.

Boni explained that the position of the National Police Chief is the prerogative of the President as regulated in Law Number 2 of 2002. According to the doctor who graduated the best atLAy University, United States, the decision to remove or defend the National Police Chief must consider the political context and government strategy as a whole.

"For me, maintaining General Listyo Sigit as the National Police Chief can be part of a political strategy to maintain the strength of security institutions and avoid turbulence that can be used by political opponents to attack the government," said the former member of the Supervisory Board of the State News Agency (LKBN) ANTARA.

Because, said Boni, the dismissal of the National Police Chief in the midst of a sensitive situation could trigger public distrust and negative perceptions of the government because it was considered internal to the government to be not solid. He is worried that the discourse of replacement in the midst of demonstrations and recent political pressures will open up gaps for political opponents to complain in cloudy water.

"Maintaining the National Police Chief allows the government to focus on institutional reforms in a sustainable manner without being disturbed by leadership turmoil," he stressed.

Furthermore, Boni assessed that the move also reflects a careful approach in building a clean and effective government, while facing political pressure and major challenges in security institutions.

"The decision to maintain the National Police Chief is part of Prabowo's long-term vision to strengthen the country and maintain public trust in a sustainable manner," concluded Boni.