Megawati Asks The Police Now For Hoegeng's Exemplary Exemplary People

Screenshot of the General Chairperson of the PDI-P DPP, Megawati Soekarnoputri, testifying in the book "The World of Hoegeng, 100 Years of Exemplary" / Antara

JAKARTA - Chairperson of the PDI-P DPP, Megawati Soekarnoputri, hopes that the police in Indonesia can imitate the figure and example of the 5th National Police Chief, Hoegeng Iman Santoso, who is populist and full of dedication when carrying out their duties.

"In my opinion, he is the best. Why? He is the real Polri. The people are very populist," said Megawati remembering the late Hoegeng, while giving a speech at the book launch event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Hoegeng Iman Santoso in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Sunday, November 7.

As the second child of President Soekarno, he knew Hoegeng firsthand and witnessed firsthand the simplicity and closeness of Hoegeng to the people, even though at that time he was still a student at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Indonesia.

He told of his experience meeting Hoegeng, who was then the head of the Indonesian Police, cycling from his home to the Indonesian Police Headquarters, on Jalan Trunojoyo, Jakarta.

"Oh, where are you going? I call him Om. Oom, the time for the Chief of Police to ride a bicycle. (Hoegeng replied): Let it be, this is all exercise,” said Megawati, telling the story of Hoegeng's simple figure.

Not only that, Megawati also advised the police to use Hoegeng as an example in carrying out their duties. “In my opinion, (from the example of) Pak Hoegeng, they (police) must have dedication. You are ordered to overcome terrorism, radicalism," he said.

He continued to convey that the dedication exemplified by the late Hoegeng also encouraged him to carry out his duties with full responsibility.

He recounted the times he served as vice president. At that time, he not only received written reports from his subordinates, but directly observed the situation on the ground. "I want to see for myself. I don't want to just (receive) reports. So I really follow," he said.

Dedication and responsibility to the task, he said, are attitudes that are always practiced by the police. "It's not just a routine task, it's not just a mere promotion of rank," he said.

Hoegeng Iman Santoso, minister in the Old Order and the first head of the Indonesian Police during the New Order, was born in Pekalongan on October 14, 1921 and died in Jakarta on July 14, 2004.

For a long time he really liked and enjoyed music, especially the hawaiian genre, and he formed a hawaiian music group, namely Hawaiian Seniors, which regularly fills programs on TVRI.