TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The civil society coalition assessed that President Prabowo Subianto's promise to reform the Indonesian National Police (Polri) following the 2025 violence has failed to materialize. This criticism was conveyed by the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Civil Society Coalition for Police Reform (RFP), Arif Maulana, during a speech in front of the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, coinciding with the 80th National Police Day or Bhayangkara Day.
According to him, the aspiration to establish a democratic, professional police force that upholds human rights remains far from realization. "Some time ago, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, promised police reform following strong demands from the public, strong demands from the community after the August-September 2025 incident," said Arif.
He recalled the incident involving online ojek driver, Affan Kurniawan, who was crushed by a Mobile Brigade (Brimob) tactical vehicle at that time. Arif stated that Affan's death marked that the Indonesian police force is still associated with violence, impunity, and repressive methods, being used as a tool for oppression rather than protecting and nurturing the community.
"Although the promise was articulated with extraordinary rhetoric that was repeated, the fact is that police reform has failed to materialize," he said.
Arif highlighted the birth of the revised Police Law, which does not address the issues within the police institution. The police force is very susceptible and potentially becoming a tool of power, political interests, and oligarchic interests in the future. According to him, the revised Police Law actually expands various police authorities that should be restricted.
"The police will be able to manage all community affairs, ranging from investments, food security matters, Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) matters, planting corn, to opening up overlapping positions in all ministries/institutions without clear limitations," said Arif.
Read: Prabowo Lauds Police Role in Free Nutritious Meal Program
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