Narcotics, Online Gambling Challenge New Police Chief: House

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The approval of Commissioner General of Police Suyudi Ario Seto’s appointment as the new Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) marks an important moment for the police, as well as a new hope for the Indonesian public. Member of the country's House of Representatives (DPR) Mangihut Sinaga said the new Polri leadership must bring about tangible changes, particularly in maintaining public security and order and improving the quality of police services.

"In the future, the police must be more responsive to the problems faced by the public. The police must be present, listen, protect, safeguard, improve, and serve. Their presence must be trusted, and their benefits must truly be felt by the public," Mangihut said in a written statement as quoted from dpr.go.id on Friday, October 2, 2026.

He said several public concerns still require serious attention from the police's future leadership. These include complaints that are passed from one office to another without resolution, slow responses, unequal access to services, illegal fees, arrogance, excessive use of force, conflicts of interest, inadequate transparency in providing information, and weak oversight.

"This is not merely a matter of image, but concerns the quality of services and public trust. Every public complaint must serve as material for evaluation to build a more professional, humane, transparent, and accountable police force," the Golkar Party politician said.

Mangihut identified combating narcotics and online gambling as two issues that should receive serious attention from the new National Police chief. He said both have affected various segments of society and pose a particular threat to young people.

"Narcotics and online gambling are not merely law enforcement issues; they have become social problems that can damage the future of our younger generation. Therefore, efforts to combat them must be serious, systematic, and sustainable," he said.

Mangihut also stressed the importance of internal reform. According to him, no police officer should be involved in, assist, protect, or act as a backer of narcotics or online gambling networks.

"The commitment must be firm: anyone involved must be dealt with in accordance with the law. Efforts to combat crime must not be undermined by individuals within the institution itself. Internal reform is an inseparable part of combating narcotics and online gambling," he stressed.

According to Mangihut, the police's success in the future should not be measured solely by the number of cases uncovered, but also by their ability to create a sense of security, prevent young people from falling into narcotics and online gambling, and build public trust as Indonesia moves into the future. He added that public trust must be maintained through concrete action, not merely slogans.

"We need a healthy and productive generation with a future ahead of them. Therefore, protecting children and young people from narcotics and online gambling is part of the state’s responsibility. Polri must be a leading force, together with the entire community, in safeguarding the nation’s future," he said.