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Keeper of the peace
Dr Muhammad Tito Karnavian’s (RSIS/2013) entire career has been dedicated to the security of his countrymen, from protecting neighbourhoods against crime to safeguarding Indonesia against terrorist attacks.
Text: Jennifer Su and Charmian Leong
Dr Muhammad Tito Karnavian
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
PhD / Class of 2013
Nanyang Distinguished Alumni Award 2021
Believing in destiny can be a powerful thing. Back in 1983, a young Tito Karnavian was deciding whether to pursue his undergraduate studies in international relations, accountancy or medicine, or join the army. He applied to three universities – and was accepted by all – but eventually chose military life.
Photo: Ministry of Home Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
“I was a very patriotic young man, so I chose the armed forces because back then it was the easiest way to become a governor of a province, which was my dream,” he explains. But his dream was abruptly diverted when, after three months in the military academy, he was deemed most suitable for police work.
“I was shocked because the police force was my last choice,” he laughs. “It was not my dream, but I had to accept it. Luckily, I ended up topping my cohort at the police academy in 1987. So it must have been God’s destiny for me.”
Dr Muhammad Tito wasn’t just the best in his class, he received the Outstanding Achievement Medal (Adhi Makayasa) from former Indonesia President Suharto. He also became the youngest police officer to obtain the rank of commissioner general, and also one of the youngest to become the Chief of the Indonesian National Police in 2016 at age 51. He was only chief for four years before he was appointed Minister of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in 2019, a role he continues to hold today.
In 2020, he was conferred the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Distinguished Service Order) by Singapore President Halimah Yacob for his role in strengthening bilateral ties between Singapore’s and Indonesia’s police forces.
Dr Muhammad Tito does not shy from putting in the hard work. “I do my best at any task given to me because I don’t want to let down my commanding officers. My success also came from building networks and, most of all, my faith.”
Being able to lean on his faith has helped him through tough times. As the leader of the country’s National Counter-terrorism Agency (BNPT) as well as the head of Indonesia’s elite Densus 88 counter-terrorism squad in 2010, he helped in the successful hunts for Noordin Mohammad Top – then Indonesia’s most-wanted fugitive – and Azahari Husin, the man believed to be the mastermind behind the 2002 Bali bombings.
Besides daily prayers, he says: “I also make time for my hobbies, such as swimming, diving and singing karaoke with my wife.” While work often takes him on the road, he “thinks of it as a holiday because I get to see new things, engage with people, and see the natural beauty of the country”.
His devotion to his homeland is what led him to pursue his PhD in Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He chose NTU not just because of Singapore’s proximity to Indonesia, but also for its curriculum. “I really admire Singapore’s strategy in building its human resources, because now it has one of the best education systems in the world,” he says. “NTU has helped me expand my mindset from one of a practitioner to a scientist. In addition to my empirical experience, it has enhanced my understanding of global challenges, political conflicts, and terrorism.”
Click here to read about other Nanyang Alumni Award recipients.
This article first appeared in the first issue of U, the NTU alumni magazine.
