Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the Traffic Corps (Korlantas) of the National Police Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho announced a temporary restriction on the use of sirens and strobe lights by police vehicles when escorting state officials.
"We have suspended the use of such equipment to facilitate a thorough evaluation. Note that escort missions will continue, but the use of sirens and strobes has been placed under a moratorium for review," he stated in Jakarta on Saturday.
The Korlantas chief stressed that sirens and strobe lamps may now only be used in urgent situations or emergencies.
"Sirens can only be used for specific purposes, not just on any occasion. For the time being, officers are advised not to use them unless truly necessary," Suryonugroho affirmed.
He noted that the suspension and evaluation reflect the police’s commitment to listening to public concerns, including those voiced on social media, objecting to the use of sirens and strobes for official escorts.
"We thank the public for their concern. I can assure you that the police will follow up on all input. For now, let us all work together to maintain order on the road," he said.
Korlantas is now drafting revisions to rules on the use of sirens and strobe lights to prevent misuse and ensure public comfort. The move comes in response to growing objections raised in videos and posts shared online.
To show dissent, Indonesian netizens, in recent days, have been echoing a movement to stop "tot tot wuk wuk," an onomatopoeia mimicking the sounds produced by sirens and horns often used by police — and sometimes even civilian — vehicles.
In Indonesia, the use of sirens and stroboscopic lights is regulated under Article 53, paragraph (5), of Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation.
The Traffic and Road Transportation Law No. 22 of 2009, Article 59 paragraph (5), clearly stipulates which vehicles are authorized to use rotators and sirens. Blue warning lights and sirens are reserved for vehicles operated by the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
Red warning lights and sirens are designated for prison transport vehicles, military escorts, fire trucks, ambulances, Red Cross vehicles, rescue units, and hearses.
Yellow warning lights without sirens are permitted for toll road patrol vehicles, traffic and road transportation facility supervisors, public facility maintenance and cleaning vehicles, tow trucks, and special cargo transport vehicles.
