TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) is once again under public scrutiny, with growing calls for reform due to cases of police violence and weak oversight.
Civil society groups, student organizations, and religious leaders are urging the government to take action to restore public trust in the institution.
President Prabowo Subianto confirmed that he would establish a police reform team in response to these concerns. The announcement was made during a meeting with leaders of the Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (National Conscience Movement) on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Gomar Gultom, former Chair of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), said the issue of police reform was raised directly with the President during the three-hour discussion.
“The President will soon form a team or commission for police reform. I think this is in response to public demands,” Gultom said after the meeting at the Presidential Palace.
The Gerakan Nurani Bangsa, a coalition of religious figures from different faiths, has urged Prabowo to restructure police leadership and policies to prevent excessive use of force that violates human rights and the constitutional rights of citizens.
“The President responded positively. What the group has proposed will be acted upon, particularly regarding the need for police reform,” Gultom added.
Student groups have also joined the call. The University of Indonesia’s Student Senate (BEM UI) said public trust in the police is at a low point, demanding comprehensive reform to strengthen accountability.
According to BEM UI, reform must take place at three levels: structural (systems and institutions), cultural (behavior and work patterns), and instrumental (facilities, infrastructure, and technical rules).
“Evaluating procedures, authority, and transparency of information is essential to drive these changes,” BEM UI declared during a protest outside the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on August 29, 2025.
The National Police Commission (Kompolnas) echoed similar concerns. Commissioner Choirul Anam stressed the need to curb the culture of violence within the police force by strengthening human rights education.
“It is crucial to review the police education curriculum and reinforce human rights principles and behavior within it,” Anam said in a voice message on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
The former Human Rights Commissioner also urged the police to modernize law enforcement instruments, strengthen internal and external oversight, and address the recurring pattern of repressive actions during mass demonstrations.
According to the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), at least ten people were killed during protests against government policies between late August and early September. YLBHI reported that 1,042 demonstrators required hospitalization for injuries, while 3,337 others were arrested within a week.
Meanwhile, the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) called for stricter supervision of Polri and questioned the effectiveness of Kompolnas.
Arif Maulana of TAUD criticized the commission for failing to properly investigate the case of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver who died after being run over by a police tactical vehicle.
“Instead of carrying out its oversight role, Kompolnas has acted more like a spokesperson and defender of the police,” Arif said at a press conference at KontraS’s office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
