SEVERAL POLICE GENERALS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY INTERNAL AFFAIRS (PROPAM), INCLUDING A FOUR-STAR GENERAL WITH THE INITIAL 'L': WHAT LIES BEHIND THIS SILENT OPERATION?

 The change in the top leadership of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has not entirely guaranteed a smooth internal consolidation. The public was taken aback by news that several high-ranking police officers had been taken into custody by the Internal Affairs Division (Propam) of the National Police Headquarters on Tuesday (November 3, 2026). Among those reportedly detained was a former high-ranking official—a four-star general with the initial "L"—who currently holds a civilian position within the government.

According to information reported by Suara.com, the operation involved a special unit that escorted several generals to an interrogation room at the National Police Headquarters’ Internal Affairs Division. In addition to the four-star general, several three-star generals were also reportedly subjected to questioning.

"Yes, it is true—there was a detention. One four-star general with the initial 'L' and several three-star generals were involved. However, the four-star general has since been released," a source told Suara.com on Tuesday (November 3, 2026).

The source indicated that the questioning was conducted to verify sensitive matters concerning the security and stability of the police organization. However, no specific details were provided regarding the nature of the issues under investigation.

As of the time of this report, there has been no detailed official statement from the National Police Headquarters regarding the identities of the generals involved, the specific issues being investigated, or their current legal status.

Nevertheless, this news raises a significant question: is this merely a routine internal inquiry, or is it part of a serious effort to address long-standing, underlying problems within the police force?

A Quiet Operation Amidst a Leadership Transition

The timing of these interrogations has drawn particular attention. The security operation took place just about a month after President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Police General Suyudi Ario Seto as the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, succeeding General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, on October 1, 2026.

Listyo Sigit was subsequently appointed to a civilian role as Chief of the Presidential Staff. This transition also marked the end of his leadership of the Indonesian National Police, a position he had held since January 2021.

Upon assuming command, Suyudi stated that he would undertake internal consolidation and evaluate existing programs.

“We will examine initiatives that can be followed up on, and we will address areas that require improvement,” Suyudi remarked following his inauguration.

He also pledged to ensure fair, impartial law enforcement and to foster a policing approach that is more closely connected to the public.

However, reports regarding the investigation of several generals—emerging shortly after a change in the National Police Chief—suggest that the challenges facing the National Police may be far more complex than simply continuing the programs of the previous leadership.

Organizational consolidation cannot be achieved solely through personnel reshuffles or the restructuring of the command hierarchy. Issues concerning integrity, discipline, institutional loyalty, and alleged abuses of power must also be central to the evaluation.

Why Must the Investigation of Generals Be Transparent?

The scrutiny of a four-star general—who currently holds a civilian government position—is the most compelling yet sensitive aspect of these reports.

A four-star rank is the highest level for a National Police officer. Consequently, if a former official of this stature is indeed undergoing an internal investigation, the public has a right to understand the context and basis for such action, provided that such disclosure does not compromise the investigative process.

Furthermore, the fact that several three-star generals are also under investigation suggests that the matters being examined may not be isolated incidents. Nevertheless, in the absence of an official statement, it is premature to conclude the existence of a network of misconduct or the involvement of specific parties.

There is a fundamental principle that must not be overlooked: the police’s internal oversight mechanism cannot function as a closed system, shielded from public accountability.

While the Internal Affairs Division (Propam) is authorized to investigate police personnel suspected of disciplinary or ethical violations, any matters involving alleged criminal offenses must be addressed through the established legal process, rather than concluding solely with an internal inquiry. The public also needs clarity on whether these security measures are part of an ethics review, an investigation into alleged misconduct, or a protective step taken for specific, underlying reasons.

The term "organizational stability" must not be used as a cover to obscure issues that ought to be brought to light and resolved transparently.

The First Test of General Suyudi’s Leadership

For National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto, this development serves as a significant initial challenge. He must ensure that "internal consolidation" is more than just a catchphrase accompanying a change in leadership; it must instead be a genuine opportunity to address and clear away the various issues that may have long hindered police reform.

Public trust in the Indonesian National Police (Polri) cannot be built solely through campaigns promoting a "humane" police force, improved public services, or promises of fair law enforcement. Such trust must be earned by demonstrating the courage to take action against anyone who commits a violation—regardless of their rank, position, or proximity to power.

In fact, the investigation into generals within the police force should serve as an opportunity to prove that the law truly applies equally to everyone.

President Prabowo Subianto also has a vested interest in ensuring that the police institution does not become a battleground for competing factional interests or a repository for unresolved issues inherited from previous leadership.

The question now awaiting an answer is not merely the identity of the four-star general—referred to by the initial "L"—but rather: what exactly is the sensitive matter currently being uncovered by the Internal Affairs Division (Divpropam)?

If a violation has indeed occurred, everyone involved must be held accountable. Conversely, if the investigation finds no wrongdoing, the police institution is obligated to provide an explanation to prevent prolonged speculation.

Ultimately, police reform can never be fully realized if transparency is demanded only from the public, while matters behind the walls of the National Police Headquarters remain an institutional secret. (Taryono)