Bekasi Civil Servants Banned from Posting Content in Uniform, Golkar Proposes Other Regions Follow Suit

House of Representatives Commission II member Ahmad Irawan has responded to the Bekasi City Government’s circular banning civil servants (ASN) from creating social media content whilst wearing their official uniforms. He believes the circular’s contents are fundamentally in line with existing regulations. “The internally circulated letter, as I have read it, is normative in nature. Indeed, it should be that way. Uniforms are worn for work,” Ahmad Irawan told reporters on Thursday. Irawan considers that this policy could serve as an example for other regions if they deem it necessary to reinforce ASN discipline. However, he emphasised that regulations regarding the use of official attributes have already been established under various government regulations. “If other regions wish to follow suit, I think that is a good thing. Even without this circular, the matter is already regulated by the government through disciplinary regulations for civil servants and other related rules,” he stated. Nevertheless, Ahmad cautioned that the policy should not evolve into excessive restrictions on ASNs’ rights to express opinions. He urged regional governments to ensure that the rule only governs the use of official uniforms and attributes, and does not restrict citizens’ freedom of expression. “What is important is not to impose excessive prohibitions regarding the freedom to express thoughts, whether verbally or in writing through conventional media or social media,” he asserted. Earlier, Bekasi Acting Mayor Abdul Harris Bobihoe issued an internal circular concerning the prohibition on Bekasi City Government ASNs creating content wearing official uniforms and attributes. The circular, numbered 800.1.6/2668/BKPSDM.PKA on the Enforcement of Ethics and Prohibition of Improper Social Media Use for Civil Servants within the Bekasi City Government, was signed directly by the Acting Mayor on Monday, 8 June 2026. “This is to maintain the dignity, integrity, professionalism, neutrality, and image of civil servants within the Bekasi City Government, and to realise prudent and responsible social media use in accordance with ethical norms and statutory provisions,” Abdul stated in the circular.