Prabowo under pressure to push reform of Indonesian police force

Public demands for change follow years of persistent brutality and culture of impunity

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A woman confronting riot police during a clash at a late August protest in Jakarta against what the demonstrators say are Indonesian lawmakers' lavish allowances amid economic hardships.

(PHOTO: REUTERS)

Calls are growing for President Prabowo Subianto to take concrete steps towards sweeping reform of the National Police, with analysts warning that success will hinge on his willingness to address entrenched problems in one of Indonesia's most powerful institutions.

Public pressure for reform has built up over years of persistent brutality, a culture of impunity and mounting political interference, all of which have eroded trust in law enforcement and undermined the police's legitimacy.

Renewed calls for police reform intensified in the wake of a tumultuous week in August, when nationwide protests over lawmakers' lavish allowances amid economic hardships erupted into a broader outcry after an ojol (online motorcycle transportation) driver in Jakarta was killed when a police tactical vehicle drove over him.

Dr Nicky Fahrizal, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), stressed that President Prabowo must leverage his authority to address systemic failures rather than pursue quick, superficial fixes.

"Without strong political will from the President, police reform will only amount to cosmetic changes," Dr Fahrizal said in a discussion on Oct 2. "The problems within the police institution are deep-rooted and require fundamental, thorough solutions."