The appointment of South Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Firli Bahuri as the incoming chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the police response to related student protests across the country have shined a spotlight on the National Police's growing influence in government and politics. Firli is taking over the reins at the KPK in December and will remain an active police officer until he reaches the retirement age of 58 in two years. Several police generals, both active and retired, lead a number of state agencies, including the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry. Police generals have also been appointed directors general at several m...