Police Delay Implementation of 'Hijab' Uniforms for Women

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Police Deputy Chief Comr. Gen. Ooegroseno said that as a member of National Police Chief Gen. Sutarman’s staff, he must secure the general’s statement regarding the use of Islamic head scarves, or hijab as the National Police General Supervision Inspectorate (Irwasum) says the use of head scarves is unsuitable for the National Police uniform. 

"We finally decided, along with the Irwasum, to postpone it first. Don’t let (policewomen) using hijab seem more sexy," said Oegroseno on Monday. 

If there are policewomen who are currently wearing headscarves, Oegroseno suggested they become detectives or intelligence agents as they "will be able to go undercover" and are "free to wear anything they want". 

Last November 19, National Police Chief Gen. Sutarman gave his verbal permission for policewomen to wear headscarves on duty, effective on November 20. The police chief released his statement following debates over a policewoman in Central Java who complained about the police’s ban on wearing hijab. 

However, on November 29, Oegroseno sent a secret telegram to all police stations and departments across Indonesia and instructed them to postpone policewomen from wearing hijab.

TIKA PRIMANDARI