Bripka Mahir Launches 'Back to the Right Path', Educating the Public on Traffic Compliance

Bripka Jumahir is known as a traffic police officer who coined the tagline ‘Back to the Right Path’. He uses this phrase as a form of education for the public to drive orderly and obey traffic rules.

Bripka Mahir, now serving as a non-commissioned officer in the Traffic Unit of the Makassar Police Resort, has been nominated for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards programme. He is known for actively using social media to inform the public about his activities and duties.

One account about Bripka Mahir comes from Wanny, an employee at a motorcycle dealership. Wanny often interacts with Bripka Mahir because his work also promotes road safety campaigns.

‘In this regard, alongside our campaign, we feel greatly assisted by him. In other words, he is one of those figures who can be said to be “different from the others”,’ said Wanny to detikcom on Monday (9/3/2026).

Wanny considers Bripka Mahir different from other officers. Bripka Mahir is said to emphasise education over enforcement.

‘There is some enforcement, but more focus on education. From what I see, enforcement happens only if the case has been repeatedly warned, then he takes action,’ said Wanny.

He recounted an example of Bripka Mahir’s action when finding a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet. The rider was not fined but asked to fetch the helmet first before continuing the journey.

‘So, if he’s not wearing a helmet, he’s not immediately fined, “Oh, you’re fined this amount”. But more educational. “Alright, go get your helmet, we’ll wait here”,’ said Wanny.

‘So he’s not actually looking for people not wearing helmets, but if someone isn’t, okay, he educates on proper helmet use, then tells them to get a helmet, and if it’s okay, he doesn’t fine them, but there’s a note that this person has been warned. So if it happens again, then it must be enforced like that,’ Wanny continued.

Additionally, Wanny testified that Bripka Mahir does not accept ‘settlement money’ from drivers caught violating. Instead, Wanny said, Bripka Mahir is the one who often spends his own money to help the public.

‘He prefers to spend money on people rather than take money from them. For example, if fining, once fined, it’s a proper fine. Because, in my opinion, if he fines someone, it means it’s already serious. It’s already severe, so it can’t be just warned,’ he said.

Wanny also emphasised that Bripka Mahir’s educational actions for drivers are not just for content, but sincere in encouraging the public to be orderly in traffic.

Bripka Mahir’s Story

When contacted by detikcom, Bripka Mahir recounted that his duty to educate the public on the roads is done humanely. He does not immediately fine violators but provides understanding so they do not repeat mistakes.

‘Not fined, but educated to be orderly,’ said Bripka Mahir.

When seeing a violation, Bripka Mahir immediately records it on video to ensure all actions follow the rules. He rejects ‘settlement money’ from drivers to avoid police action.

‘Including if there are attempts to collude for an on-the-spot settlement, or in quotes, extortion, we record it on video so everything follows procedure. Nothing should be resolved outside procedure,’ said Bripka Mahir.

The amounts of money offered by drivers vary from tens to hundreds of thousands. However, Bripka Mahir firmly refuses to accept such extortion money.

Instead of accepting the money, Bripka Mahir chooses to educate the public that such actions are not allowed. He asks the public to be supportive and admit mistakes.

‘If violating, the public should just sportingly admit the mistake and not repeat it. Insyaallah, the police will help as long as the violation is not fatal. And if someone tries to force it, we will record it, publicise it, if they attempt to bribe the police officer,’ he said.

He recounted one of his actions when finding a traffic violator. If there’s a driver going against the flow, Bripka Mahir will ask them to turn back to the correct lane.

‘If not wearing a helmet, I direct them to call family to bring the helmet, or if no family can bring it, I hire a Grab with my own money for them to go home and get the helmet. Or if that can’t be done, I lend my service helmet while I wait for them to bring theirs,’ said Bripka Mahir.

Bripka Mahir has been serving in the traffic unit for 13 years. But he only started using social media as a means of education for the public in 2024.

‘I have been educating since social media became widespread in Indonesia, since 2024. Due to public concerns about many against-the-flow violations on road sections,’ he added.

Bripka Mahir always tries to upload content about his activities and duties every day. His steps have received positive responses from the public.

‘Alhamdulillah, since I went viral on social media, many people have expressed appreciation, that’s first. Second, with my presence, more people are afraid to violate because they’re afraid to meet me, afraid of being publicised,’ he said.

He wants to change the negative image of traffic police in the public’s eyes. According to Bripka Mahir, the police image can improve if traffic officers are also seen positively.

’A good traffic officer is one loved by the public, whose presence is expected by the community. Traffic officers shouldn’t be feared by the public. So, driven by that, I strive