February 13, 2026 | 05:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto dismisses what he called a long-term accusation that the country's police and military force are human rights violators.
"In the past, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), our outstanding and skilled generals, have been cursed and accused of being war criminals and violating human rights," said Prabowo while delivering a speech at the inauguration and groundbreaking of the Polri Food Security Center (SPPG) and Food Security Warehouse in Palmerah Police Station, West Jakarta.
Speaking on Friday, Prabowo said he disagreed with the notion of TNI being human rights violators, as the military has not once bombed public facilities.
"I believe TNI has never bombed a hospital. The military never once bombed orphanages, schools, churches, or mosques," he said.
Prabowo did not deny that soldiers who failed to perform their duties properly existed. But the head of state opposed the proposal to disband the military and police institutions altogether as a solution to this problem.
According to Prabowo, sanctions ought to only be directed at the officials who are actively infringing the law. He illustrated the situation with student brawls, stating "if there are students brawling, it's the students who should be dealt with, not the school principal who should be removed."
"That would be a mistake," the Gerindra Party politician said.
Nevertheless, he remained mum on the accusations against the Indonesian military and police force, urging both TNI and Polri (Indonesian National Police) to remain steadfast in the face of these claims.
He also cited the so-called 'buzzers' on social media who are incessantly critical of the Indonesian government. "That's the risk," Prabowo said. "What's important is our good intention and sacrifice for the nation."
Read: Prabowo Promises Bintang Mahaputera Honor for Police Chief
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