Traffic Corps Chief Explains Delay of 'Operasi Patuh', Urges Public to Observe Traffic Order
The Head of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas), Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, has explained the reasons behind the postponement of ‘Operasi Patuh’, which had previously been socialised to the public. He stated that the operation is part of a series of ‘condition-creating’ operations leading up to the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) celebrations, making its current implementation premature.
“We have indeed socialised Operasi Patuh. There are five major operational agendas within the police, specifically within the Traffic Corps. The first is Operasi Keselamatan, which precedes Operasi Ketupat. Following Operasi Ketupat, there is Operasi Patuh and Operasi Zebra, which are condition-creating operations during the Christmas and New Year period,” Inspector General Agus told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.
Agus noted that analysis and evaluation indicated that Operasi Patuh should be conducted closer to the Nataru agenda. Consequently, the authorities have decided to temporarily delay the operation.
“The gap is still quite large, so based on analysis and evaluation, Operasi Patuh will likely take place closer to the Christmas activities. Therefore, we are postponing it for now. We hope that following the previous socialisation, the delay is understood as the major Christmas and New Year agenda is still far off,” he said.
Regarding the implementation schedule, Agus stated that the National Police Traffic Corps is awaiting further evaluation and instructions from the National Police leadership. He suggested that Operasi Patuh could be launched after the Bhayangkara Day commemorations on 1 July.
“We will evaluate and seek guidance from leadership. We will determine the exact timing—whether it is after the Bhayangkara Anniversary or perhaps one month after—as these operations are intended to create conditions leading up to the Christmas and New Year period, including both Operasi Patuh and Operasi Zebra,” he added.
Agus further explained the enforcement scheme for Operasi Patuh, which consists of 60% Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE), 30% manual summons, and 10% sympathetic warnings/appeals. Due to the postponement, the implementation will be adjusted to the new operational timeline.
“All police activities are aimed at ensuring road users are orderly, traffic flows smoothly, and both violation and fatality rates decrease. Therefore, the enforcement formation must be managed. The plan remains 30% manual summons and 60% ETLE, as previously socialised,” said Agus.
He emphasised that the primary objective is not to increase enforcement actions, but to build public awareness of traffic order through a more humanistic approach.
“The Traffic Corps does not take pride in enforcement alone, but in how we embrace and stay close to the community through the ‘Polantas Menyapa’ programme. We hope the public will work with us to maintain order for the sake of safety,” he concluded.