Indonesia parliament passes law permitting active police officers to hold civil government posts

Indonesia’s parliament approved amendments to the National Police Law on 9 June, allowing active police officers to assume positions in ministries and state agencies without resigning from the force. The change, approved unanimously, expands the role of security personnel in civilian administration under President Prabowo Subianto, following a similar amendment to the military law a year earlier.

The law permits police appointments to posts related to public safety, law enforcement, community protection and public services, and raises the mandatory retirement age for senior officers to 60 with possible extensions. Human‑rights groups and legal experts have criticized the amendment, warning it could undermine democratic checks, professional standards and conflict with a 2025 Constitutional Court ruling that required police to leave the force to take external posts.