President Prabowo Warns Against 'Hijacking' Democracy, Calls Police 'Guardians'

President Prabowo Subianto has warned Indonesians against allowing the nation's democracy to be 'hijacked' by groups with significant capital or foreign interests. He emphasized that the police must act as 'guardians of democracy,' ensuring freedom of expression while upholding the law. These remarks were made by Prabowo during his address at the 80th Bhayangkara Day ceremony for the Indonesian National Police (Polri), held at the Brimob training center in Cikeas, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Prabowo affirmed that the government respects criticism as a vital component of democratic life. However, he cautioned against the misuse of democracy by parties with vested interests. "We respect criticism. Criticism is important. We need criticism to remind us. We need criticism to improve ourselves. But we must also guard the security of democracy. Let us not allow democracy to be hijacked by those with a lot of money. Let us not allow our democracy to be ruined by foreign interests," the President stated. He also urged that differences of opinion should not escalate into hatred that fuels division, asserting that Indonesian democracy must remain grounded in values of unity and harmony. Prabowo then outlined six key messages for all members of the police force. Firstly, he stressed the importance of maintaining public trust, as it is the primary asset for a police officer in carrying out their duties. Secondly, he called for police presence among the community, listening to grievances, providing services, and protecting the people. He reminded them that the state's finances, including police salaries and equipment, are derived from the public, so they should not cause hardship. The third message concerned law enforcement, urging the police to enforce the law justly, bravely defend the truth, protect vulnerable groups, and fear no one but God Almighty. Fourthly, Prabowo encouraged all police personnel to continuously enhance their professionalism by mastering science, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), recognizing that increasingly complex crimes can only be countered by adaptive and learning law enforcement. Fifthly, he advocated for strengthening synergy with various stakeholders, noting that the police cannot work in isolation but must collaborate with the TNI, government, community leaders, religious scholars, academics, media, business actors, and all societal elements. To conclude, Prabowo reminded the police not to cease self-improvement, urging all personnel to remain humble, open to criticism, and courageous in making changes to maintain public trust. "A great institution is one that is willing to listen. A strong institution is one that dares to change. An institution loved by the people is one that is always humble," the President concluded. Source: Liputan6