inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police (INP) is preparing to change its approach to handling demonstrations. While previously primarily focused on security, in the future, a service-oriented and negotiating approach will be prioritized to ensure the safe, orderly, and democratic expression of aspirations.
This planned paradigm shift was conveyed by the Director of Samapta Korsabhara, Brigadier General Mokhamad Ngajib, during a public dialogue titled "Guarding Aspirations, Countering Disinformation, and Strengthening Information Literacy to Achieve Safe and Democratic Public Opinions Expression" in South Jakarta on Tuesday (9/29/2026).
Ngajib stated that the police will strengthen its humanistic approach by deploying personnel as negotiators between protesters and the agencies or parties targeted by the protesters
"We will prioritize negotiation, from the submission of notification for protest, through the demonstration plan, through the protest, and until the end of the protest," said Ngajib.
To support this approach, the police will prepare certified negotiators who can act as peacemakers when conflicting interests arise between protesters and the targets of the demonstration.
Furthermore, the police also plan to amend the INP Chief's Regulation (Perkap) governing the handling of demonstrations to align with this approach.
On the same occasion, the Head of the INP Public Relations Division, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, in a written address read by the Head of Public Information for INP Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, reminded the public not to be easily influenced by information circulating on social media, especially information related to demonstrations.
"We must carefully verify information and statements from official agencies to avoid being easily provoked," he said.
According to Ngajib, the number of demonstrations has shown an increasing trend in recent years. In 2022, 6,202 demonstrations were recorded, increasing to 7,765 in 2024 and 12,242 in 2025. Meanwhile, through September 2026, 8,506 demonstrations were recorded.
He acknowledged that there is a perception that demonstrations are less interesting if they are not accompanied by riots. This situation brings the potential for certain parties to make up false issues that could then trigger riots.
"Provocation and the development of false information are carried out more quickly through social media, with TikTok live broadcasts," explained Ngajib.
Marroli Jeni Indarto, Director of Institutional Communication Partnerships and Public Relations at the Ministry of Communication and Digital, stated that social media has now become a primary channel for the spread of false information and disinformation due to its ability to disseminate information very quickly to the public.
Therefore, he urged agencies targeted by demonstrations to provide more prompt clarification on the issues underlying the demonstrations.
(ad/ad/pr/rs)
