Indonesia passes police law allowing serving officers into civilian posts, prompting rights concerns
Indonesia's parliament has approved revisions to the national police law, allowing serving police officers to occupy civilian government positions without resigning, extending retirement ages and prompting criticism from rights groups and legal observers.
- Parliament unanimously approved a revised police law during a plenary session in Jakarta.
- Active police officers may now hold certain civilian government positions without resigning.
- Rights groups and legal advocates argue the reforms risk weakening democratic oversight.
Indonesia's parliament on 9 June 2026 unanimously approved revisions to the country's national police law, allowing serving police officers to take up positions in government ministries and state institutions without resigning from the force, in a move that has drawn criticism from rights groups and legal observers.
The amendments were passed during a plenary session of the House of Representatives (DPR) chaired by Deputy Speaker for Political and Security Coordination Sufmi Dasco Ahmad at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta.
The legislation comes a year after parliament revised Indonesia's military law to expand the number of civilian posts that can be occupied by serving military personnel. Since taking office in 2024, President Prabowo Subianto has expanded the role of security institutions in civilian affairs, including programmes related to free meals and food self-sufficiency, while appointing senior military and police officers to positions within his administration.
Parliament approves revised police law
The revised law was approved unanimously after Dasco asked parliamentary factions whether the bill could be enacted into law.
"Can it be approved as a law?" Dasco asked during the plenary session.
Members of parliament responded in unison, saying "approved", before Dasco struck the gavel to formalise the legislation.
The approval followed earlier first-level deliberations between the government and the DPR's Commission III. Commission III chairman Habiburokhman said the bill's working committee (Panja RUU Polri) had completed discussions on 112 items listed in the problem inventory (DIM).
Of the 112 items, 32 were permanent provisions, 36 editorial provisions, 12 substantive provisions, 24 deletions and eight new substantive provisions.
Civilian posts for active police officers
Under the revised law, serving police officers will not be required to resign before being appointed to positions in ministries, state institutions or other government bodies outside the National Police, provided those positions are related to police functions and responsibilities.
According to a copy of the bill seen by Reuters, the eligible positions include those connected to public security and order, law enforcement, protection, public services and community care within ministries and state agencies.
The legislation also allows active police officers to fill positions outside the organisation upon requests from the president, ministries or state agencies when their expertise is deemed necessary.
Deputy Law Minister Eddy Hiariej said the provision is stipulated in Article 28A of the revised law.
"Police officers can also hold civilian positions upon the request of the ministry," he said, adding that such appointments require approval from the minister responsible for governance affairs.
Sarifuddin Sudding, a member of the parliamentary committee involved in the bill's deliberations, told Reuters that police officers would not be required to resign because their expertise was needed by the government.
Retirement age extended
The revisions also adjust retirement age limits for police personnel.
During discussions on 8 June, the government and the working committee agreed that the retirement age for the National Police chief and four-star officers would be 60 years.
The police chief's retirement age may be extended by one additional year, up to a maximum of 61 years, based on presidential approval.
"In accordance with the needs determined based on the president's decision," Eddy Hiariej said.
Under the revised provisions, non-commissioned and warrant officers will retire at 59, while junior, middle-ranking and senior officers will retire at 60.
The law also establishes a minimum educational requirement of senior high school graduation for prospective police recruits.
Government and parliament defend reforms
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas said the amendments were intended to ensure the police could respond more effectively to contemporary challenges.
"A more responsive and adaptable legal framework is urgent to ensure that National Police can perform their duties effectively," Supratman told the plenary session.
Habiburokhman said the legislation was not intended to alter the direction of police reform but to strengthen the transformation of the police into a more professional, accountable and humane institution.
According to Habiburokhman, the revision complements broader legal reforms that have already been introduced through Indonesia's new Criminal Code (KUHP) and Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), which strengthen human rights protections, oversight of investigations and restorative justice mechanisms.
He said the revised law also incorporates recommendations from the parliamentary working group on police, prosecution and judicial reform, including provisions related to the position of the police under the president, stronger oversight through the National Police Commission (Kompolnas), internal supervision, institutional modernisation, police education reform, retirement-age adjustments and the regulation of assignments outside the police force.
Before the final vote, Habiburokhman reported that the legislative process involved extensive public consultation, including at least 12 public hearings, visits to various regions, consultations with legal experts and civil society groups, and the receipt of more than 100 written submissions.
"Public participation in drafting this law has been maximised. We received various inputs regarding police reform, both during the drafting and deliberation stages," he told the plenary session.
Rights groups warn of authoritarian drift
Human rights organisations and legal advocates criticised the passage of the revised police law, arguing that the legislation expands the role of active police officers in civilian institutions and risks undermining democratic reforms introduced after the fall of the Suharto era.
Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, described the legislation as a "red carpet to authoritarianism", saying the most concerning provision was the expansion of opportunities for active police officers to occupy civilian positions in ministries and state agencies without resigning from the force.
"This policy not only damages the merit system and career paths of civil servants, but also betrays the mandate of Reformasi, which explicitly sought to limit the involvement of defence and security institutions in civilian affairs," Usman said in a statement.
He also criticised the legislative process, saying the bill was rushed through parliament in less than a month and was deliberated without sufficient transparency or meaningful public participation.
Amnesty further argued that the revisions ignored a Constitutional Court ruling requiring security personnel to retire before taking civilian positions and failed to adequately strengthen oversight mechanisms, including the role of the National Police Commission (Kompolnas).
Muhammad Isnur of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation echoed those concerns, saying the placement of active police officers in ministries and state agencies was unconstitutional and could undermine police professionalism, disrupt career progression and weaken the merit-based system for civil servants.
Reform agenda and public scrutiny
The enactment of the revised police law comes amid continuing public scrutiny of Indonesia's police force and calls for institutional reform following a number of high-profile cases involving allegations of abuse of authority and controversies surrounding law enforcement practices.
Parliament and the government have said the amendments are intended to strengthen oversight, accountability and professionalism within the police while improving public services and protecting citizens' rights.
With the passage of the legislation, lawmakers said Indonesia's police reform agenda had entered a new phase focused not only on institutional strengthening but also on reinforcing oversight mechanisms, accountability and protections for citizens under the law.
