Tito: Police Barred from Posing Symbol of Presidential Candidate

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian called on all his members to maintain neutrality ahead of the 2019 general elections. The appeal was conveyed via a telegram letter number K/DEN-04/III/2019/DIVPROPAM dated March 20, 2019, for all chiefs of regional police.

The prohibitions are: police officers are barred from using or displaying or ordering other people to install election attributes and posing or taking photos with a typical support symbol of presidential election candidates.

“Police personnel is prohibited to take a self-portrait in social media by holding up index finger, thumb, and fingers to form the letter V that potentially used by certain parties for accusing partisanship and non-neutrality of the National Police,” said Tito in a statement today, March 25.

Read also: Tito Karnavian`s Advices to Brimob Members in Political Years

The officers are also banned to attend or be a speaker in a support declaration event, political meeting, campaign, gathering; unless for the security purpose that mandated in a task letter.

“Avoid any counter-productive acts and maintain public trust to the police. Because even the smallest mistake can affect the police image,” Tito underlined.

Additionally, the National Police’s division of profession and internal security head is demanded to take firm action against either disciplinary or ethics violations, particularly in relation to the security measure ahead of, during, and post the 2019 general election.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo also asserted that his institution committed to maintaining neutrality in the election race and during the electoral campaign on March 24 until April 13.

ANDITA RAHMA