The Story of Aipda Sugeng's Mobile Coffee Cart: Bringing the Police Closer to the Community
An unusual sight can be found in the Bubutan area of Surabaya, East Java. A police officer is spotted cheerfully brewing coffee atop a bicycle while engaging in warm conversation with local residents. The figure is Aipda Muhammad Sugeng Bin Wahhab, affectionately known as Cak Bhabin.
Aipda Sugeng reaches out to the community through an innovation called Kobin, short for Kopi Cak Bhabin (Cak Bhabin’s Coffee) — a humanistic approach he devised to break down the stiffness between law enforcement and the public.
The method involves “mobile coffee rounds,” where police officers turn up in residential areas not to conduct raids, but to invite residents for a casual coffee together.
This approach aims to create a space for equal dialogue. Through a free cup of coffee, Aipda Sugeng is able to absorb aspirations, receive complaints from residents, and convey messages about public security and order (kamtibmas) in a more informal and effective manner. The innovation forms part of the East Java Regional Police’s Community Guidance Directorate (Ditbinmas Polda Jatim) strategy to strengthen police-community ties and foster a conducive environment.
More than simply distributing coffee, Kobin serves as a platform for resolving various community issues in a familial manner. In the relaxed atmosphere, residents no longer feel reluctant to report potential crimes or internal conflicts in their neighbourhoods.
The effectiveness of the Kobin programme has also reached the ears of people’s representatives in Senayan. During a working visit to the Okra Batik Village Tourism site in Kranggan, Surabaya, on 10 February 2026, members of the House of Representatives’ Commission VII, led by Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, expressed their appreciation for the creative programme.
“Allow me to briefly explain about Kobin. Kobin is one of our tools — Kopi Cak Bhabin. We go around the kampung as specialist officers, or rather as core Bhabinkamtibmas officers, visiting residents. That is why, when we conduct our visits, we come with the Kobin cart,” Aipda Sugeng told the Commission VII delegation.
Commission VII member Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo then asked Aipda Sugeng whether the coffee was given free of charge to the community. Aipda Sugeng confirmed that residents need not pay a single rupiah, with the aim of bringing the police closer and reaching all walks of life.
“Free of charge,” said Aipda Sugeng.
“Extraordinary,” said Commission VII Deputy Chair Rahayu Saraswati at the location.
The Kopi Cak Bhabin programme was also presented to National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo during the National Police’s Community Guidance Corps (Korbimas Baharkam) exhibition. Kobin is said to have been inspired by the Indonesian cultural fondness for coffee consumption.
General Sigit was seen inspecting the equipment used by Bhabin officers when engaging with the community. He was observed smiling and shaking hands with Aipda Sugeng after being briefed on the background of the Kobin programme.
“Inspired by the habits and culture of Indonesian society, which is very fond of coffee drinking, the East Java Regional Police initiated the Ngopi Bareng Cak Bhabin (Coffee Together with Cak Bhabin) programme. Coffee is used as a tool by Bhabin officers to break the ice. Made by the Bhabin officers themselves, they travel around the villages and gather the community together,” said the event moderator.