In the bustling streets of Jakarta and beyond, Indonesia has seen waves of energy in 2025. From student marches to public outcries, protests have highlighted deep frustrations with governance and law enforcement. At the heart of this movement? A urgent call for sweeping reforms, especially within the Indonesian National Police (Polri). These events aren’t just rallies—they’re a push for a fairer, more accountable future. Let’s break down what’s happening and why it matters.
The Protests That Shook the Nation
It all ramped up in February 2025, with students and citizens taking to the streets in cities like Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. What started as concerns over economic policies and political decisions snowballed into broader demands. By August, a tragic incident lit the fuse: a civilian’s death after being struck by a police vehicle during a demonstration. This sparked riots and drew thousands more into the fray, marking the first big challenge for President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
Protesters clashed with officers, leading to over 3,000 arrests and reports of excessive force. Social media buzzed with videos of tense standoffs, fueling global attention. Human rights groups like Amnesty International flagged issues like journalist targeting and arbitrary detentions. For many Indonesians, these weren’t isolated incidents but signs of a system needing a complete overhaul.
Why Police Reform Tops the Agenda
Polri, Indonesia’s national police force, has long faced scrutiny for corruption, violence, and power misuse. The 2025 protests amplified these problems, with demands echoing from the 1998 reformasi era that birthed modern democracy. Key issues include:
1. Brutal Crowd Control: Officers used tear gas and rubber bullets aggressively, raising fears of rights violations.
2. Corruption and Impunity: Bribery scandals and unchecked authority erode public trust.
3. Outdated Training: Calls grow for human rights-focused education to replace old tactics.
Activists and experts argue that without fixing Polri, broader reforms—like economic tweaks or anti-corruption drives—will falter. On X (formerly Twitter), users like @ZulkifliLubis69 shared viral clips slamming “uniformed thugs” and urging total Polri revamps, racking up thousands of likes.
Prabowo’s Response: A Team for Change
President Prabowo, a former general himself, didn’t stay silent. Just weeks after the August chaos, he greenlit a special police reform team. This group includes ex-police chiefs, human rights commissioners, and civil society voices, aiming to tackle everything from internal oversight to digital complaint systems.
Komnas HAM (National Human Rights Commission) Commissioner Mohammad Choirul Anam stressed Polri’s reform roots and pushed for stronger monitoring tools. Parliament (DPR) echoed support, proposing curriculum updates and leadership shake-ups. It’s a step forward, but skeptics wonder if it’ll deliver real accountability or just more talk.
A Hopeful Horizon for Indonesia
These protests and reform pushes remind us: Change in Indonesia often starts with the people’s voice. If Polri evolves into a force that protects rather than intimidates, it could rebuild trust and stabilize the nation. As 2025 unfolds, eyes are on Prabowo’s team—will they turn demands into action? For everyday Indonesians, the answer can’t come soon enough.
Sources:
https://en.tempo.co/read/2048854/indonesias-prabowo-faces-public-expectation-on-police-reform
https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-reformasi-polri-benahi-problem-kekerasan-korupsi-dan-penyalahgunaan-wewenang
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/police-killing-sparks-indonesia-unrest-first-major-test-prabowo-presidency-2025-08-29/
0 Comments