September 21, 2025 | 04:46 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - General Agus Subiyanto, the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), has voiced the same frustrations as the public regarding the widespread misuse of strobe lights and sirens on the roads. He admitted that the noise is a disturbance, even to him.
"It bothers me too. I, after all, want to be comfortable," he said during a meeting at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
General Subiyanto emphasized that he often instructs his escorts not to use strobes or sirens unless the travel is urgent. He urged all TNI personnel and their subordinates to follow traffic rules, stressing the importance of respecting the comfort of other drivers. The four-star general also claimed that he rarely uses a strobe, noting, "I also stop at red lights. The heads of the armed forces all stop."
He clarified that the use of strobes and sirens is only permitted for officials in true emergencies or when escorting very important persons (VIPs). "If there is something that truly requires urgency, we must quickly get to a place to provide assistance," he explained, also noting that ambulances and fire trucks are rightfully permitted to use sirens while on duty.
The public's criticism of this issue has been growing, particularly on social media. A recent online movement, "Stop Tot Tot Wuk Wuk," has gained traction as a protest against the excessive use of sirens, strobes, and rotators. Many social media users have shared videos of themselves refusing to yield to vehicles with strobes, asserting that these devices should be reserved for emergencies only.
In response to the public outcry, Inspector General Agus Suryo Nugroho, Chief of the Traffic Division of the Indonesian National Police, announced that the use of escorts with strobes and sirens for internal police officials has been temporarily suspended.
"We have temporarily suspended the Traffic Division. Hopefully, there won't be a need for the tot-tot sound again," Agus said at the National Police Headquarters on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Hammam Izzuddin contributed to the report.
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