The National Police leadership has banned its officers from pursuing luxurious and hedonistic lifestyles.
By
·3 minutes read
The National Police leadership has banned its officers from pursuing luxurious and hedonistic lifestyles. It has also asked that police officers improve their culture while serving the public.
The seven-point instruction on “simple life” for police officers and their families was communicated in a telegram dated 15 Nov. 2019 that was signed by the Profession and Security (Propam) head, Insp. Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
In short, all officers and civil servants of the National Police must not display or exhibit luxury items while serving their day-to-day duties in public, may not upload photos or videos to social media that display a hedonist lifestyle, and the National Police’s leaders, officers and their families must set an example of behavior that does not represent a hedonic lifestyle. Strict sanctions will be imposed on members of the National Police who violate the regulation.
Prior to the telegram’s release, the National Police (Pori) issued two National Police Chief Regulations (Perkap) on the Polri Professional Code of Ethics and on Polri Civil Servant Ownership of Luxury Goods. The two Perkap aim to build a National Police force that is professional, modern and trusted to increase public trust.
Police officers and their families are prohibited from behaving in a luxurious manner because they cannot afford luxury items on their salaries, and also to prevent social jealousy.
The definition for “style” in the Great Dictionary on the Indonesian Language (KBBI) includes “behavior” and “action”. “Stylish” can therefore be interpreted as acting up. Prohibiting “luxury style” can be interpreted as a prohibition on behaving or acting in a luxurious manner. Police officers and their families are prohibited from behaving in a luxurious manner because they cannot afford luxury items on their salaries, and also to prevent social jealousy.
Never mind living in luxury – the life of National Police chief (1968-1971) Gen. Hoegeng Imam Santoso as Suhartono told in Hoegeng: Police and Exemplary Minister (Kompas Publishing, 2013), revealed that Hoegeng never had a bank account until his death. He even sold his shoes once, because he needed the money. Hoegeng also asked his wife, Meriyati Roeslani, to close her flower shop because he was concerned that the customers only sought to establish ties with the police.
Hoegeng did not issue rules to his subordinates on avoiding living in luxury while on the force. He practiced it himself. “Sa \'madya” is the Javanese tradition: according to one’s means. Do not strive to get rich, let alone violate the law through means like corruption. Not many policemen today may behave like Hoegeng. A number of police officers have been tried for corruption, such as in the Traffic Corps fraud and money laundering case. Moreover, several elements of the National Police leadership were reported to have "fat bank accounts" some time ago.
There is nothing wrong with the rules forbidding a luxury lifestyle. However, as Hoegeng exemplified, it is important that anyone leading the police must set an example. It is undeniable that luxury lifestyle can open the door to corruption.