Bhayangkara Mural Festival demonstrates that Police values freedom of expression

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo affirmed that the institution valued freedom of expression and was not anti-critic as was proven by the implementation of the 2021 Bhayangkara Mural Festival.

The statement was delivered at the main event of the festival held at the Bhayangkara Field, here on Saturday.

The activity was held for the first time, with a total of 803 participant entries from 34 regional police, and 80 of which were selected to partake in the main event of the national festival.

Moreover, at the competition themed "The Role of the Youths’ Creativity in Conveying Positive Information in the midst the COVID-19 Pandemic," the institution had provided 10 slots for critical sub-theme murals.

Prior to the initiation of the competition, some anonymous murals criticizing the current social condition of the Indonesian people drawn on the roadside walls in various regions were repainted by the officers.

They reasoned that the act occurred since the murals were drawn on public infrastructure that was against the law, while the public regarded the act as a form of oppression.

Hence, implementation of the 2021 Bhayangkara Mural Festival was aimed at changing the public perception.

Furthermore, the national police chief has stated that the mural festival aligned with President Joko Widodo’s statement that Indonesia is a democratic country that respects freedom of expression.

He has also guaranteed that the institution will accept any murals, both delivering positive or negative comments and also the most scathing ones.

According to Prabowo, murals with positive vibes are a source of motivation, while murals conveying negative criticism become a source for evaluation, introspection, and reflection for the National Police to streamline itself according to people's expectations.

As the Indonesian National Police Chief, Prabowo was seeking a sense of openness from the public to gain an understanding of their perception of the institution.

"Thus, we can improve our institution and personnel to be better as well as trusted and loved by the public,” he added.