Indonesian Parliament Urged to Use Inquiry Rights to Resolve Police-Prosecutor Tensions

Benny Harman, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party, has advocated for the House of Representatives (DPR) to exercise its "Inquiry Rights" (Hak Angket) as a solution to resolve the ongoing tensions between the National Police (Polri) and the Attorney General's Office (Kejagung). This proposal draws attention as a move to seek a transparent resolution and accountability for the escalating conflict between these two major law enforcement agencies. The Inquiry Rights, stipulated in the Indonesian Constitution and parliamentary law, empower the parliament to conduct independent investigations into government policies or specific incidents, and based on the findings, propose recommendations or legislative amendments. In the past, this authority has been exercised in matters of public interest or when government misconduct was suspected. Tensions between the Polri and Kejagung often surface concerning investigation jurisdiction, handling of evidence, or deficiencies in cooperation on individual cases. These conflicts not only undermine law enforcement coordination but can also affect public trust in the judiciary. Harman's call for the exercise of inquiry rights can be interpreted as a strong manifestation of the parliament's commitment to fulfilling its oversight responsibilities to maintain the integrity of Indonesia as a state governed by the rule of law, going beyond mere inter-agency friction. How this proposal will be debated and implemented in the DPR will be the focus going forward.