Ervana Trikarinaputri, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has enacted Law Number 5 of 2026 concerning the Indonesian National Police, marking the third amendment to Law Number 2 of 2002, or locally known UU Polri.
As published on the Legal Documentation and Information Network (JDIH) website of the State Secretariat Ministry, the policy was officially signed by President Prabowo on June 17, 2026, in Jakarta.
The explanatory notes of Law Number 5 of 2026 state that keeping pace with shifting societal dynamics requires a refinement of the regulatory framework governing the core tasks and functions of the Indonesian National Police. This adjustment is claimed to bolster the operational effectiveness of the police force while better addressing the legal needs of the public.
Under the newly enacted Police Law, a highly significant shift is recorded in Article 28A, which permits active police officers to hold civilian posts within ministries or government agencies, provided the assignment remains "related to the police function." Paragraph (2) of Article 28A specifies that these external ministries or institutions must handle affairs tied to public order and security, public protection and services, or law enforcement.
Furthermore, paragraph (3) of the article stipulates that assignments to positions outside the police corps can also be initiated by a direct request from a ministry or agency requiring the specialized expertise of an active officer. Meanwhile, paragraph (4) allows for placements outside the police structure if directly sanctioned by the President.
Beyond the assignment of active officers to civilian roles, the updated law also revises the retirement age threshold for members of the Indonesian National Police, as laid out in Article 30 paragraph (5). The revision raises the maximum retirement age from 58 to 59 years for non-commissioned and enlisted officers, while setting it at 60 years for first-level, middle-level, and senior officers. The policy further dictates that the retirement age for the National Police Chief can be extended by one year, up to a maximum of 61 years, if deemed necessary by the President.
"Specifically for four-star senior officers, the highest retirement age is 60 (sixty) years and can be extended for a maximum of 1 (one) year by virtue of a Presidential Decision," reads Article 30 paragraph (5) letter c.
The House of Representatives (DPR) previously ratified the revised Police Law during its 21st plenary session of the 5th Session for the 2025-2026 term on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The enactment of the legislation has since triggered widespread pushback, with groups like the Civil Society Coalition for Police Sector Reform rejecting its ratification.
Coalition representative Muhammad Isnur argued that the newly enacted law directly undermines the core mandate of police reform. "The drafting process was also carried out carelessly," Isnur stated in a written release on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
The Coalition particularly took aim at the clauses allowing active police personnel to occupy civilian positions. According to Isnur, the provision flies in the face of a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Decree as well as the Constitutional Court's landmark ruling Number 114/PUU-XXIII/2025.
"The formulation of Article 28A in the Police Bill actually opens up such a wide space for active police personnel to hold civilian positions without clear limitations," Isnur warned.
Regarding the elevated retirement ages, the Coalition voiced concerns that extending these limits will bottleneck the institutional promotion ladder and lead to a surplus of unassigned, non-job personnel. The provision is feared to pile on a fiscal burden that will erode the state's finances.
– Andi Adam Faturahman contributed to this article.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2109923/prabowo-signs-revised-police-law-amid-civil-society-criticis