Prabowo Nominates BNN Chief Suyudi Ario Seto as Sole Candidate for Indonesia National Police Chief to Replace Sigit

Uwrite.id - Jakarta - Amid growing public scrutiny over police reform and law enforcement challenges, the House of Representatives has finally moved to process the change in the top leadership of the National Police.

Chairman of Commission III overseeing legal and security affairs, Habiburokhman, stated that the House's Steering Committee (Bamus) has assigned Commission III to conduct a fit-and-proper test for Police Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto, who currently holds the three-star general rank. The assignment was agreed upon in a meeting at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Thursday.

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It was there that the main agenda was revealed. President Prabowo Subianto has officially proposed National Narcotics Agency (BNN) Chief Suyudi Ario Seto as the sole candidate for National Police Chief to replace General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and the presidential letter has been received by the House.

Following up on the matter, Habiburokhman affirmed full support from the parliament.

"All factions in Commission III have agreed by consensus to proceed with the process of replacing Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo with Commissioner General Suyudi Ario Seto in accordance with the law," he said.

According to data from the Secretariat of Commission III, this police chief transition is the first under President Prabowo's administration. Of the total 9 factions in the House, all were present and approved the assignment. Meanwhile, Polri personnel data notes that Suyudi is the 27th high-ranking officer to have served as BNN Chief since the agency was established in 2002, and if inaugurated, he would become the 26th National Police Chief in the history of the Indonesian National Police.

Moving on to the fit-and-proper test session, Suyudi outlined his vision. He said he would focus the National Police on serving the state and the public, including communities in remote, border, and outermost regions of Indonesia.

Moreover, he introduced an agenda themed "Police With the People," which he said aims to restore public trust by placing the community at the center of police work.

"I want to restore public trust through a transformation that places the community at the center of the police's duties," Suyudi told lawmakers.

The statement aligns with the current landscape. A Poltracking Indonesia survey in May 2026 recorded public trust in the National Police at only 60.5%, among the lowest of institutions surveyed. The House of Representatives ranked lowest at 55.3%.

Despite bringing a new spirit, Suyudi believes a change in top leadership does not mean abandoning existing policies. He said he will not completely overhaul the programs from the Listyo Sigit era, but will instead continue achievements while addressing institutional shortcomings.

"I want to continue with the authority and courage to clearly identify the institution's shortcomings while preserving and expanding the achievements that have been built in recent years," he said.

Suyudi is a 1994 graduate of the Indonesian Police Academy who has spent much of his career in criminal investigations. He has served as Deputy Chief of Jakarta Metro Police, Banten Police Chief, and in several senior positions at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim). President Prabowo appointed him as BNN Chief in August 2025.

During his tenure at BNN, he has pushed for a rehabilitation and health-based approach to drug abuse handling, as well as strengthened cooperation among agencies. BNN has described his agenda as including broader access to rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation services.

If approved, the appointment would bring Suyudi back to the National Police leadership after about a year heading the narcotics agency.

In his track record, Suyudi also served as police chief in several jurisdictions, including Majalengka, Bogor, and Central Jakarta, as well as holding key roles at Bareskrim.

The police leadership change comes amid public spotlight on law enforcement, security, and institutional reform. Commission III's confirmation process will test Suyudi's vision and work plan before the House gives its final approval.

Meanwhile, Listyo himself has led the 450,000-strong police institution since January 2021. He was appointed during the administration of former President Joko Widodo and was retained after Prabowo took office in October 2024. (*)