Boni Hargens: Police Chief Listyo Sigit’s Actions Set an Example in Building Public Trust

Senior political observer Boni Hargens (Ist)

JAKARTA - Senior political analyst and Director of the Indonesian Electoral Institute (LPI), Boni Hargens, assessed the steps of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo who opened a space for dialogue with the heads of mass media as an important example of leadership in strengthening democracy and restoring public confidence in state institutions.

According to Boni, the meeting was not merely a ceremonial agenda, but showed the commitment of the National Police to transparency, openness, and public communication in the midst of increasing social dynamics and criticism of various state institutions.

"What the National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo has done is an example in building a healthy democracy. Transparency, dialogue, and communicative approach are the best mechanisms to maintain public confidence in the government and the country," Boni said in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, June 2.

Boni explained that the relationship between the state and the community is basically built through a social contract that requires trust. When the relationship experiences friction due to public criticism and political tensions, the state institution has an important role to bridge back communication with the community.

According to him, the approach taken by the National Police Chief can serve as a model for various state institutions in facing the challenges of modern democracy which is characterized by polarization of opinions, the spread of disinformation, and the decline in trust in public institutions.

He assessed that the openness of the National Police in dialoguing with the media showed a commitment to public accountability, as well as strengthening the position of the media as a strategic partner in delivering accurate information to the public.

"In the midst of the heavy flow of various narratives that build pessimism about Indonesian democracy, an open and communicative institutional response is one of the most effective ways to maintain public confidence," he said.

Boni added that the current government's challenge lies not only in policy formulation, but also in the ability to communicate the policy well to the public.

According to him, in the digital era when various narratives can spread quickly through social media, the dialogic approach becomes increasingly important to prevent misunderstandings while strengthening the legitimacy of state institutions.

"The government cannot just be defensive against criticism. It takes communication innovation that is able to build a space for dialogue and trust. That is what the National Police Chief is showing through an open approach to the media community," he said.

Boni also emphasized that public trust is the main foundation of state legitimacy in a democratic system. Without this trust, the effectiveness of state institutions will weaken even though they have strong formal authority.

Conversely, when public confidence is maintained, state institutions can carry out their functions more effectively, including in maintaining social stability and law enforcement.

"I see the steps taken by the National Police Chief in line with efforts to build a democratic, open, and harmonious government with the people. Public trust is the most important foundation in democratic life," said Boni.

According to him, the approach that emphasizes transparency, openness, and dialogue needs to continue to be strengthened so that relations between the state and the community remain maintained in the midst of various political and social challenges that are developing.