Indonesia
Criminal investigations in Indonesia
The police investigate; the prosecution, as master of the case, directs the prosecution; and a national commission independently investigates corruption.
Facts on this page were checked against their sources on .
In the ordinary criminal process the police (POLRI) are the general investigating authority, conducting the preliminary inquiry and the investigation, while the prosecution — as dominus litis — controls the prosecution and the direction of the case. In addition, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) independently investigates and prosecutes corruption cases.
The same idea, explained generally
- What is a criminal investigation?
A criminal investigation is a legally authorised process for establishing whether an offence occurred and gathering evidence that can be tested in court. This guide explains its structure, safeguards, and known failure modes.
- What is due process?
Due process is the requirement that the state follow fair, established procedures before it takes action against a person. This guide explains what it typically includes and how it differs between systems.
Sources
Sources
Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police (UU 2/2002), Pasal 8
Pemerintah Republik Indonesia (via the official legal-database hosts) · Legislation · 2002 · link verified 2026-07-27
Law No. 2 of 2002 on the Indonesian National Police, Pasal 8, confirmed verbatim in two independent passes. Supports Pasal 8(1) — "Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia berada di bawah Presiden" (the Indonesian National Police is under the President) — and Pasal 8(2) (the Chief of Police, Kapolri, is responsible to the President). Establishes that POLRI is a single national force reporting directly to the President rather than to a ministry.
Law No. 11 of 2021 amending the Law on the Prosecution Service (Kejaksaan), Pasal 2
Pemerintah Republik Indonesia (via the official legal-database hosts) · Legislation · 2021 · link verified 2026-07-27
Law No. 11 of 2021 (amending Law No. 16 of 2004 on the Prosecution Service), Pasal 2, confirmed verbatim. Supports that the Prosecution Service (Kejaksaan Republik Indonesia) is "a government institution exercising state power in the field of prosecution … independently, free from the influence of governmental power and other powers" — that is, functionally independent in prosecutorial decisions but institutionally within the executive branch, headed by the Attorney-General (Jaksa Agung).