Indonesia
Police officers march during a ceremony on July 1, 2024, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the National Police at the National Monument (Monas) Square in Central Jakarta. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
The proposed revision to the National Police Law has drawn criticism from activists and analysts, who warned that it could legitimize the controversial placement of officers in civilian posts and further expand police influence beyond policing.The House of Representatives earlier this week started the process to revise the law, following the finalization of the House-initiated draft revision, which includes “clearer and tighter rules” aimed at restricting the assignment of active-duty police officers to additional roles outside the police institution.
The proposed changes, according to lawmaker Habiburokhman of President Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party, are aimed at creating “a modern, humane, professional and credible police force” and draw in part on recommendations from the government-sanctioned police reform commission.
Asked about how far the restrictions should go, commission chair Jimly Asshiddiqie reiterated the need for strict limits on the placement of officers in civilian posts, but stressed that the commission had left the details to policymakers to decide.
