After Being Inaugurated by Prabowo, Suyudi Ario Seto Officially Takes Control of Polri; Listyo Sigit Welcomes Him at Mabes

Police General Suyudi Ario Seto officially took command of the Indonesian National Police after being inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto at the Istana Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (1/10/2026). The inauguration also ended the term of General Listyo Sigit Prabowo as Kapolri and marked the handover of leadership at the institution that oversees more than 400,000 personnel.

The transition did not stop at the Istana. Shortly after the ceremony, Listyo went to National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta. He arrived first, greeted by a number of senior officials in front of the building, including Metro Jaya Police Chief Insp. Gen. Asep Edi Suheri and National Police Public Relations Division Head Brig. Gen. Johnny Eddizon Isir. In footage obtained from the National Police Public Relations Division, Listyo was seen shaking hands one by one with the officials waiting, interspersed with brief conversations.

Not long afterward, Suyudi entered the Mabes Polri area. His arrival was welcomed by Deputy National Police Chief Insp. Gen. Wahyu Hadiningrat along with a number of officers. Before stepping inside, Listyo saluted the guard troops. Suyudi then shook hands with Listyo and former Deputy National Police Chief General Dedi Prasetyo, who had been waiting at the location. The moment showed a handover process that ran smoothly, without any significant friction on the surface.

Interestingly, Dedi Prasetyo's presence at the welcoming gave its own signal. As a former Deputy National Police Chief, his attendance underscored that this transition was not merely ceremonial, but part of efforts to maintain continuity of leadership within the National Police. The presence of a number of senior officials, from the Metro Jaya Police Chief to the Public Relations Division Head, showed that the lower ranks had been given a signal to quickly adjust to the new leadership.

For the public, rotation at the top of the National Police is always an event worth watching. That is because the Kapolri is not only responsible for domestic security, but also faces a test of neutrality before and after the national political agenda. In recent years, the issue of security personnel neutrality has come under scrutiny, especially during election and regional election moments. The new leadership is required to keep its distance from practical political interests without sacrificing professionalism.

In addition, internal challenges are also not light. The National Police is under pressure to improve its image in the eyes of the public, from handling high-profile cases to bureaucratic reform within the corps. Suyudi, who previously served as Deputy National Police Chief, is considered to have a deep understanding of the internal structure. However, public expectations remain high: can he accelerate reforms that have so far moved slowly?

"This change is a crucial moment to ensure the National Police remains solid and responsive to the needs of the public," said a police observer who asked not to be identified, responding to the transition process.

From a political standpoint, the inauguration of Suyudi and Wahyu on the same day showed rapid consolidation in the Istana circle. President Prabowo appears to want to ensure there is no leadership vacuum in security institutions. This step can also be read as an effort to place trusted people to guard the government agenda, especially on stability and law enforcement.

Going forward, the public will await the direction of Suyudi's policies, especially regarding the handling of corruption cases, terrorism, and social conflict. Will he continue his predecessor's programs or bring significant change? What is clear is that the warm welcoming moment at Mabes Polri yesterday became a symbol that the transition ran peacefully. However, the real test has only just begun after the ceremony ended.