By Hanin Marwah
Copyright tempo
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A recent survey by the Indonesia’s Setara Institute revealed that most experts consider public trust in the Indonesian National Police to be poor.The findings come as the government prepares to establish a Police Reform Commission under President Prabowo Subianto.Setara Institute Executive Director Halili Hasan said the survey involved 176 expert respondents.“Most experts, or 61.1 percent, believe the police’s performance is not good, which in our research is categorized as poor. Only 16.8 percent said the police are able to build public trust,” Halili stated during a virtual press conference on Friday, September 19, 2025.The study also examined the police’s democratic practices and integrity. More than half of the respondents (51.2 percent) assessed that the police are neither democratic nor humane, while just 19.8 percent disagreed. Meanwhile, 58.7 percent of experts rated police integrity in law enforcement as low.Halili emphasized that the survey was conducted as part of the 2024 Police Transformation Design study and should serve as a reference for the government.“We must ensure that the plan to form a police reform commission is substantive, not just a political response or a cover for the government’s reluctance to address the public’s demands,” he said.According to Setara, the police face 130 pressing issues, which have been condensed into 12 key problem areas requiring systemic reform.These include the police’s role within the state structure, oversight performance, accountability in law enforcement, management of detention facilities and detainee rights, the orientation of punishment, and the interpretation of public order and security.Other areas highlighted are accountability in the use of firearms, community service and protection, counterterrorism, public service functions, governance of police education, organizational management and resource allocation, as well as inter-agency coordination.Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that President Prabowo will soon issue a Presidential Decree to establish the Police Reform Commission.“The commission will carry out a comprehensive review of the police, including their position, duties, scope, and authority,” Yusril told Tempo at his office on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.“This will also cover police recruitment, education curricula, and other related aspects.”Yusril underscored that reform is urgent, noting that the commission’s recommendations will be integrated into the planned revision of Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Police.Oyuk Ivani Siagian contributed to writing this article.Editor’s Choice: Police Seize Anarchist Literature from Suspects in East Java DemonstrationsClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
