JAKARTA – State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has firmly denied reports that President Prabowo Subianto has issued a Presidential Letter (Surpres) to initiate the replacement of National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. The statement came in response to speculation circulating over an alleged leadership change within the Indonesian National Police.
Speaking to reporters after a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs in Jakarta on Thursday (Aug. 6), Prasetyo dismissed the reports, emphasizing that no Presidential Letter regarding the Police Chief has been issued.
“Who said there is a Presidential Letter on the Police Chief? It’s just a rumor. There is no Presidential Letter, none at all,” Prasetyo said.
Rumors of a leadership change emerged after claims circulated that the President had submitted a Presidential Letter to the House of Representatives (DPR) proposing a new candidate for National Police Chief. However, House Commission III Chairman Habiburokhman also confirmed that the DPR has not received any official document concerning the replacement of the Police Chief.
General Listyo Sigit Prabowo previously responded to the speculation by stating that the appointment or dismissal of the National Police Chief is the constitutional prerogative of the President. As of now, both the government and the DPR have confirmed that no formal process is underway to replace the country’s top police official.
