The National Police must be able to convince that it can get closer to the people, and is always ready to serve them wholeheartedly
Jakarta (ANTARA) - House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Azis Syamsuddin has appealed to newly-installed chief of police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to help bring the National Police closer to citizens.



"The National Police must be able to convince that it can get closer to the people, and is always ready to serve them wholeheartedly," he said while congratulating Prabowo on his appointment as Indonesia's new police chief on Wednesday.



Syamsuddin said Prabowo is also expected to improve the police's image and dignity as a state institution which functions to enforce law and preserve the country's security and maintain public order.



"The police serve and protect the people so that homeland security can well be preserved," he said, adding that the National Police need to also get closer to community-based organizations and groups.



Prabowo was nominated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for the post of police chief and his nomination was approved by House members. Prabowo is replacing General Idham Azis, who will retire on February 1, 2021



Prior to this appointment, Prabowo was chief of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Directorate.



Prabowo was sworn in as police chief by President Jokowi at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Wednesday morning.



Speaking to journalists after taking an oath of office, he affirmed that under his leadership, the police force would not only serve as an assertive law enforcement agency, but also adopt a humanistic approach in serving the public.



“The point is how we can serve the public transparently, and how we can provide justice-based law enforcement. Our commitment is how we are able to meet the people's hopes," he said.



Prabowo also reiterated his plan to transform the police service and implement his 16 priority programs.



During a fit-and-proper test on January 20, 2021, he had presented the transformation plan and priority programs to members of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) overseeing legal affairs.



Prabowo said he is aware of the difficult challenges facing the police as it assists the government in tackling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a tremendous impact on public health and the economy.



To this end, one of the endeavors that the National Police would definitely make is finding ways to convincingly enforce the government's health protocols in communities to prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.



"The people's safety is our utmost priority, and how the National Police can help safeguard the sustainable improvement of the country's national economy and economic growth," the newly-installed chief of police remarked.



In this regard, Prabowo, who was born in Ambon, Maluku province, on May 5, 1969, highlighted the importance of preserving stability, security, and public order. (INE)


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Translator: Imam B, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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