Eka Yudha Saputra, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has acknowledged that police officers sometimes make mistakes while enforcing the law, which can lead to casualties during demonstrations.

Prabowo made the statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, during a visit to the Indonesian National Police Hospital in Jakarta to see officers who were injured in recent demonstrations.

"Sometimes, in enforcing the law, there are times when mistakes happen, there are times when it's a matter of compulsion," Prabowo said.

He elaborated that any casualties should ideally be those who are causing the unrest, rather than innocent people. "The police have taken firm action against members who may have made mistakes," Prabowo added.

The president emphasized that any officers found to be at fault would be held accountable for their actions.

Extraordinary promotions for injured officers

Prabowo also requested that the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, grant extraordinary promotions to officers injured while securing the demonstrations. He reported that 43 people had been injured and treated at the hospital, with 17 still receiving care. Of those still hospitalized, 14 were police officers and three were civilians.

"I conveyed to the Police Chief, I asked for all officers to be given extraordinary promotions because they were on duty in the field, defending the country, defending the people, facing anarchists," Prabowo stated at the hospital.

He described seeing victims with serious injuries, including head trauma, severed hands requiring surgery, and an officer with a damaged kidney in need of a transplant.

In response, Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo expressed his appreciation for the president's visit. Sigit confirmed that the president had ordered that the highest appreciation be given to the officers who were injured while performing their state duties.

"We were instructed to give promotions, provide education, and give the highest appreciation to our hardworking soldiers who have become victims," Sigit said while accompanying the president.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2045276/prabowo-on-police-sometimes-mistakes-happen-during-law-enforcemen