JAKARTA: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged all National Police members to work hard to restore public confidence that had plunged dramatically.
“In November, (public trust in the National Police) was still 80.2 (percent). Very high, not (just) high, (but) extremely high, Jokowi said in his directive to the National Police personnel at the State Palace on Friday.
In August, the public trust has dropped to 54 percent.
“That is a difficult task which you have to (resolve) to restore public confidence in the Police in the midst of an unsupportive situation,” said president Jokowi as quoted from a YouTube video on Saturday.
Prior to the shooting incident in Duren Tiga—which involved the former head of the Profession and Security Division at the National Police, Inspector General Ferdy Sambo—the Public Trust Index placed the National Police on the very top at the time.
The rating was owing to the hard work of the National Police in handling Covid-19 by assisting in allocating 440 million doses of vaccine for the public, so that the pandemic would dwindle down and the economy could grow 5.44 percent.
“But once there was the FS (Ferdy Sambo) incident, everything went wrong, and (the index) fell to the lowest number. In the past, as compared to other law enforcement institutions, it was placed the highest. Now, brothers and sisters, you have to know, it is the lowest. This must be pushed up again with your hard work, brothers and sisters,” Jokowi remarked.
He reminded that currently, the situation in all countries was difficult, as they were facing global economic turmoil. In fact, currently, 66 countries were in a vulnerable position, and 345 million people in 82 countries already suffer from acute food shortages.
To this end, the president urged the National Police to have some sense of urgency in the of midst of the crisis. He also called on them to pay greater attention to their lifestyle, so as not to cause social jealousy and come under the public spotlight.
“I remind you of the issue of lifestyle. Do not let there be social outbursts in difficult situations due to socio-economic jealousy. Be careful, so I remind you of the chief of police, the deputy head of the police, those who are regional police chiefs, those who are main officials, high-ranking officers, to (not boast or become overly attached to your lifestyle). Do not be arrogant because you feel you have a good car or a nice big motorbike. Be aware. Be very aware, I remind you to be careful,” he reiterated.
He pointed out that today’s technology had brought about a total change in the manner in which social interactions took place.
He stated that this was a time of much disclosure, as everyone could report events that occur on social media, not just like those in TV, print media, or online media.
