Public Reminded Not to Get Caught Up in Post-August 2025 Political Commotion

Mass action during a demonstration in front of the DPR building in Jakarta, August 25 (VOI)

JAKARTA - Political analysts and founders of the Indonesian Voters Institute (LPI), Boni Hargens, emphasized that the public should not be involved in political upheaval after the August 2025 incident. He assessed that the National Police under the leadership of General Listyo Sigit Prabowo had shown real performance in maintaining stability, protecting the community, and providing a sense of justice.

"If we are objective, under General Sigit, the National Police has proven real work that strengthens the nation's joints, not weakens them," Boni said in his statement, Sunday, September 28.

Boni, who has a political philosophy academic background at the University of Indonesia and Universit total Wien, Austria, as well as the former President Director of LKBN Antara, assessed that political framing that linked Polri reforms to the change of leadership was logical.

According to him, the achievements of the National Police are real and measurable, ranging from the Goes to Campus Police Program which opens healthy dialogues with students, the initiative of the Friends of Children and the Little Police, to the presence of officers in the 3T area who also teach at school. The National Police also provides scholarships, secures the implementation of national exams, and conducts cyber patrols to protect the younger generation from online predators, bullying, and drugs.

Boni also highlighted the work of the National Police in maintaining economic stability through the Food Task Force and eradicating the BBM mafia. "Security in the distribution of basic necessities is the foundation of a healthy economy, and the Police are present at the forefront to protect it," he said.

In the field of press freedom, the National Police strengthens cooperation with the Press Council, opens a media center 24 hours, and conducts digital literacy training for regional journalists. "Openness is a legitimacy strategy, not a weakness," he said.

Boni also appreciated the formation of the Police Reform Transformation Team through Sprin/2749/IX/TUK.2.1./2025 led by the National Police's Kalemdiklat Komjen Chryshnanda Dwilaksana. The team consists of 52 Polri officials and is open to input from civil society and independent experts.

The National Police Chief General Sigit himself ensured that the team was not a match against the Police Reform Commission which would be formed by President Prabowo Subianto, but a forum to absorb public input. "In the near future we will invite a coalition of civil society to participate in providing input," said Sigit at the National Police Headquarters, Friday last week.

Boni emphasized that the narrative of the conflict between the President and the National Police Chief was an attempt to pit each other. "The relationship between the President and the National Police Chief is a strategic partnership. Frying the issue as if there was a conflict is the same as shaking national stability," he said.

He reminded that Article 30 of the 1945 Constitution places the National Police as a state tool that maintains security, enforces the law, and protects the public with the National Police Chief appointed and dismissed by the President with the approval of the DPR.

"With that framework, the accusations by the National Police Chief against the President are political illusions. In fact, the National Police under General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has proven itself to be a modern, humanist, and transparent institution," concluded Boni.