PRABOWO ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO ANY TNI-POLRI INVOLVEMENT — RANK, STARS AND POSITION ARE A TRUST OF THE PEOPLE

DK86- BREAKING NEWS

Dilikkasus86.com JAKARTA — President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto delivered a strong message in his speech at the Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and Regional Representatives Council (DPD RI) on Friday, August 14, 2026.

The President called on the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief to investigate the issue surrounding approximately 1,000 illegal tin-mining sites in Bangka Belitung that have been shut down by the government. Prabowo questioned how such a massive number of illegal mining operations could have continued without being known by TNI or Police officials.

“Might the TNI and Police officials really not know about 1,000 mines?” was the essence of the President’s criticism.

Prabowo’s statement should be understood as a serious warning that the matter must not end with the closure of mining sites. The investigation must trace the entire chain that allowed these illegal activities to operate. Authorities must establish who knew, who controlled the operations, who financed them, and whether there was any form of negligence, facilitation, or protection.

CLOSING ILLEGAL MINES IS NOT THE END OF THE CASE. IT SHOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF A DEEPER INVESTIGATION.

Law enforcement must follow the evidence to identify the financiers, controllers, buyers, transportation networks, distribution channels, and financial beneficiaries. If evidence points to individuals who provided protection or misused their authority, those allegations must be examined through a lawful and objective process.

The state must not merely stop workers at the mining sites while the alleged masterminds operating behind the scenes remain untouched.

The President’s message also concerns leadership within the TNI and Police institutions. A commander or leader must have the courage to discipline subordinates when wrongdoing is proven. Even if an individual has recently received a promotion or has a close relationship with a senior official, the interests of the people, the nation, and the state must remain above personal interests.

Therefore, rank, stars, uniforms, and positions must never become shields against investigation or lawful accountability.

STARS ARE NOT SHIELDS. RANK IS NOT IMMUNITY. POSITION IS NOT A LICENSE TO ABUSE POWER.

The higher a person’s rank and position, the greater the responsibility entrusted to that individual by the state and the people. Authority must be used to serve the public, uphold the law, maintain security, and protect national interests—not to create space for personal or group interests.

If an investigation establishes, based on credible evidence, that members of the TNI or Police were involved in illegal mining, provided protection, abused their authority, received illicit benefits, or deliberately ignored violations in a manner that constitutes an offense, the matter must be processed according to applicable law and institutional procedures.

At the same time, every allegation must be tested objectively. No one should be punished merely because of rumors or accusations without evidence. But neither should a legitimate allegation be buried simply because the person involved wears a uniform, holds a rank, carries stars, occupies a position, or has influential connections.

The illegal-mining issue raises an even bigger question.

How could such extensive illegal activity continue without a supporting chain?

There are mining sites, workers, heavy equipment, capital, transportation, buyers, distribution networks, and financial profits. Serious law enforcement must therefore move from the field level to the highest level of the chain.

The state must identify who receives the greatest financial benefits, how the money moves, and who is involved—based on evidence gathered by investigators.

The public does not want an old pattern to return: workers are arrested, sites are closed, heavy equipment is secured, but after some time the operations resume while powerful financiers remain untouched.

If that pattern occurs, enforcement becomes nothing more than a ceremony that fails to address the root of the problem.

DO NOT ARREST ONLY THE SMALL PLAYERS WHILE THE BIG PLAYERS HIDE.

DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE AT THE FIELD LEVEL TO BECOME SCAPEGOATS WHILE THOSE WHO PROFIT FROM THE OPERATION REMAIN UNTOUCHED.

This is where the President’s directive becomes a test for the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief.

The public is waiting to see whether the instruction will be translated into a transparent, professional, evidence-based investigation. Society does not need political theater. Society needs legal certainty.

If wrongdoing is proven, take action.

If wrongdoing is not proven, clear the person’s name.

If evidence establishes the involvement of an official, process the case without discrimination.

The President’s message is also a reminder that every public position is fundamentally a trust.

Rank is not granted to build personal power. Stars are not symbols of immunity. Positions are not facilities for personal enrichment. A uniform is not a free pass from the law.

All of these are entrusted by the state because the individual has been given responsibility to serve the people.

Therefore, when an officer is proven to have abused his or her authority, the matter is not merely an individual violation. It becomes a test of institutional integrity.

Firm action against proven wrongdoing is precisely how the honor and credibility of an institution are protected.

Indonesia needs law enforcement officers who stand before the law, not above it.

The country needs leaders who have the courage to clean their own institutions—not leaders who close their eyes to wrongdoing committed by their subordinates.

Now the major questions are on the desks of the TNI Commander and the National Police Chief:

Will the approximately 1,000 illegal mining operations truly be investigated down to the roots of the network?

Will the financiers be traced?

Will the flow of profits be exposed?

And if evidence establishes the involvement of members of the security forces, will the law be enforced without discrimination?

The answer cannot merely be another statement.

The answer must be demonstrated through action.

INVESTIGATE. PROVE. EXPOSE. ACT.

That is what serious law enforcement demands—action based on evidence, due process, and the rule of law.

The state must not lose to illegal mining.

The state must not lose to powerful financiers.

And the state must not lose when individuals who are proven to have abused their authority attempt to protect illegal activities.