Hoegeng's Legacy And Lessons From Other Countries

JAKARTA Police Reform has always been a sweet 'trade' even though in reality it feels bitter. At the level of the theory, the motto 'Transformation Towards a Humanist Civil Police' is repeatedly made. Unfortunately on the streets, people who intend to express freedom of expression are often faced with a license plate, tear gas is often even sharp bullets.

The reform, which was originally an attempt to clean the face of the National Police, actually felt like cosmetics that covered the ulcers with thick powder. Of course, the public still remembers the case of Teddy Minahasa, a general figure who was caught after selling drug evidence.

Ironic, because police and criminals who should stand on two opposing poles are even dissolved in one body, one uniform, one rank. The public can only look at while stroking the chest, how thin the line between law enforcers and lawbreakers in this country is.

Indeed, of course it would be unfair if the entire National Police's body was beaten evenly with a bad stigma. The reason is, there are still many honest police officers who maintain integrity. Despite being teased by envelopes', they remain loyal to serving the community even though their careers may not accelerate, because they have no connection or soap operas.

These are the true faces of the motto 'protectors, protectors, public servants', who instead sink under the shadow of their colleagues playing projects, selling cases, and pawning morality for personal gain.

Director of the Data and Information Study Institute, Tri Wibowo Santoso, believes that true Polri reform should start with uncompromising cleaning. All levels, from academic cadets to four-star generals, must go through a re-selection that exposes integrity, track record, and morality.

According to him, the deep-rooted nepotism, collusion, and transactional culture must be destroyed. Otherwise, the existing good police will continue to be left out, marginalized, and eventually lost under the rotten ecosystem which appreciates closeness rather than achievement. And the public will lose their trust even more, seeing that the police are no longer legal protectors, but merely criminals who are legalized by the state.

The straight one is given space to grow, the rotten one is kicked out without mercy. There should no longer be promotions because of whose son or 'who is close'. Police are not family companies or the job black market," he said, Monday, October 6, 2025.

Wibowo stated that the reform of the National Police was a test of national civilization that could not stop at internal regulations that provided justification of violence or reform teams that were just gimmicks. Police reform can only be successful if you dare to expel the traitors in uniform, dismantle the collutive network within the institution, and restore the stage of service to those who are truly clean.

"Otherwise, we will continue to live in the most bitter postmodern satire, the police and criminals are no longer two different entities, but two faces from the same mirror. And in the end, the losers are not institutions or officials, but the people who lost their final protectors," he said.

He emphasized that Polri reform is a necessity, not just a political choice or a short-term program, but a basic need for the police to be trusted by the people again. Police reform only means that the police are brave and consistent in carrying out the legacy of a Hoegeng.

Hoegeng's figure is a reminder that integrity and courage stand above the law, indiscriminately, is not just a myth. Hoegeng proved that the police could live a simple life, refuse bribes, and remain respected. "If today the Police wants to save themselves from the legitimacy crisis, the only way is to return to Hoegeng's moral standards," added Wibowo.

Lessons from Georgia, Hong Kong and Singapore

In fact, the National Police is not alone in dealing with this problem. Many countries have struggled with damaged police institutions, even worse. Georgia after the 2003 Mawar Revolution was the most extreme example. Police in the country are synonymous with extortion and extortion.

Pemerintah melakukan shock therapy di mana 30 ribu polisi lalu lintas ditempati dalam satu hari. Rekrutmen dilakukan dengan sistem transparan, saluk dinaikkan, dan mekanisme pengawasan diperketat. Dalam waktu singkat, citra kepolisian berubah. Dari lembaga yang dihuing, menjadi salah satu yang paling dipercaya.

Also look at Hong Kong in the 1960s and 1970s which was once a symbol of the corrupt police nicknamed the 'Asia's Most Corrupt Police' because bribes are rooted at all levels. Reform was carried out by establishing the ICAC, an independent anti-corruption commission that dared to brush high-ranking officers. Strict action, transparency, and enforcement of rules against the authorities themselves are slowly restoring police legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

Singapore faces a similar post-colonial situation. Fragrant police, mafia nests, and hard to believe. Reform is carried out by tightening internal law enforcement, raising salaries, building an achievement-based promotional system, and modern training. Police are transformed into a prestigious profession, but with high integrity standards.

The countries above set an example as well as a big lesson, namely without political courage to cut the chain of corruption from its roots, reforms are just a slogan. Therefore, Indonesia can learn from Georgia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, but that success will not be repeated if the Police only play on the surface.

True reform is a matter of cleaning. Unscrupulous persons must be swept away without compromise. Re-selection of morals and integrity must be done from cadets to generals. The mechanism of promotion must be clear, not just based on the proximity or path of polarization. Salaries and welfare must be feasible, but followed by strong supervision, "said Wibowo.

Chairman of YLBHI, Muhammad Isnur revealed, Polri reform must at least be able to solve nine systemic problems within the National Police. First, the absence of an effective and independent system of accountability and supervision that is not regulated by the Criminal Procedure Law (KUHAP). Second, an educational system that produces a culture of violence, brutality, militaristicity and corruption. Third, non-transparent and accountable organizational governance, not in accordance with the principles of good governance, including the budgeting system.

Fourth, the employment system which includes recruitment, transfer, promotion that is not based on meritocracy. Fifth, the scope of the task and function of the Police is too wide. Starting from public services to maintaining security and public order. Including inflating tasks and authorities through the smuggling of laws and norms.

The sixth, the irrelevant instrument of the Brimob Corps in the National Police institution because it resembles war instruments in terms of technique, equipment and tactics. Including problems with the operating system and excessive use of force in handling demonstrations," Isnur said.

Seventh, poor commitment to respect, protection, and fulfillment of human rights as well as democratic values and the principles of the state of law. Eighth, selective logging culture (cherry picking), case neglect (undue delay), and corrupt behavior in carrying out law enforcement functions. Ninth, the involvement of the police as a tool or actor in the business and political space (power).

If Georgia dares to fire tens of thousands of police overnight, why can't Indonesia dare to get rid of the uniformed mafias who are clearly trading in the law? If Hong Kong can give its defenses to an independent supervisory agency, why doesn't Indonesia strengthen Kompolnas or form a new body that is truly independent and cannot be controlled by the elite?

Police reform is a test for the government, whether they dare to face the harsh reality or continue to polish their bad faces with cosmetics. Hoegeng's legacy does not deserve to stop as a nostalgic story, but must be a moral standard that lives within the police body. Without the courage to return to the straight path, the Police will continue to walk on the spot, and the people will increasingly believe that this institution is closer to uniformed criminals than to protecting the public.