ICW Criticizes Police Robot Procurement Amid Budget Efficiency Push

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has raised concerns about the purpose and cost behind the Indonesian National Police’s (Polri) plan to procure police robots, especially in light of the government's push for budget efficiency.

The organization believes that this initiative warrants greater public scrutiny.

ICW researcher Almas Sjafrina said Polri must first clarify the intended use of the robots and justify their cost. “Is it really to support difficult or ineffective tasks performed by human resources?” she said when contacted on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Almas highlighted that the plan comes amid growing public criticism of Polri’s services and broader calls for government spending cuts, including in essential public services. “This acquisition is worthy of questioning and should receive public attention,” she added.

Coinciding with the 79th anniversary of Bhayangkara Day, Almas argued that Polri should instead focus on more substantial reforms.

“There has been too much public disappointment in Polri’s performance, which has contributed to a lack of trust in the institution,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of transparency regarding the budget allocated for the robot acquisition. According to her, several regulations already mandate public disclosure of such information. “Information about the budget and acquisition should indeed be disclosed,” she said.

The relevant regulations, she noted, include the Amendment to the 2018 Presidential Regulation on Government Procurement of Goods and Services (PBJ), the Law on Public Information Openness, and the Information Commission’s Regulation on Public Information Service Standards.

During the 79th Bhayangkara Day ceremony at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, Polri showcased various types of robots in a parade observed by President Prabowo Subianto, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

The robots on display included two tank robots, two rope robots, one agricultural drone, ten robot dogs, and ten humanoid robots.

According to Commissioner General Dedi Prasetyo, Inspector General of Police Oversight, the robots are intended for surveillance in hazardous locations, such as abandoned buildings or disaster zones.

They are also designed to assist in high-risk operations like defusing explosives or responding to hostage situations, as well as search and rescue missions.

Other functions include collecting forensic evidence such as fingerprints and DNA at crime scenes, monitoring traffic violations, conducting intelligent patrols with facial recognition, and detecting hazardous materials including bombs, drugs, and chemicals.

Dedi clarified that these robots are currently in the demonstration and public introduction phase, which will continue through 2026. The next stages involve training personnel and conducting joint research with partner universities.

Eventually, the robots will undergo limited trials at Samsat offices, integrated police service centers, and information desks at the National and Regional Police Headquarters.

He emphasized that the robots’ appearance in the Bhayangkara Day parade does not indicate their immediate deployment in active police work.

“We are aligning technological innovation with field requirements. Robots are strategic partners, not replacements for humans,” he said in a written statement issued Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Hammam Izzuddin contributed to the writing of this article.

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