Viral Video of Police Officer Leading Pacu Jalur in Kuansing Wins Netizens' Praise

A viral video recording shows a police officer participating in a Pacu Jalur event held in Teluk Kuantan, Kuantan Mudik, Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Riau. The officer, in full uniform, served as the Timbo Ruang. In the Pacu Jalur tradition, the Timbo Ruang is the person stationed in the middle of the boat whose main tasks are to bail out water entering the vessel and to give commands or boost the morale of the rowers. The officer in the viral video is Bripka Asril, a Bhabinkamtibmas (community police officer) in Kuantan Mudik District, Kuansing Regency. The video of Bripka Asril acting as Timbo Ruang drew positive reactions from netizens, with many praising his command of the team during the Pacu Jalur race. Comments such as ‘Keren!’ (Awesome!) flooded the Instagram comment section. The video was taken some time ago, during a Pacu Jalur event held ahead of the Riau Provincial Musabaqah Tilawatil Quran (MTQ) competition, which was centred in Kuansing. Bripka Asril is a Bhabinkamtibmas who oversees five villages in Kuantan Mudik District: Bukit Pedusunan Village, Luai Village, Seberang Pantai Village, Banjar Guntung Village, and Rantau Sialang Village. Since being entrusted with the role in 2021, he has actively accompanied various community activities, including the Pacu Jalur tradition, which is a source of pride for the people of Kuantan Singingi Regency. Kuantan Singingi Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana expressed his appreciation. He stated that Bripka Asril went viral not merely for being on a jalur boat, but because the public saw a police officer who was truly present, mingled, and became part of the community’s life. According to Hidayat, being a Bhabinkamtibmas means building trust. That trust is born not only through law enforcement but also through presence, care, and involvement in community life. ‘What Bripka Asril did shows that the Indonesian National Police is present not only to maintain security but also to help preserve the culture that forms the region’s identity,’ Hidayat said in a statement on Friday (24/7/2026). The 2007 Police Academy graduate said that Pacu Jalur is not just a traditional race, but a space that unites the community. Therefore, the presence of police personnel in such activities is part of an effort to strengthen partnerships while maintaining a conducive public security and order situation. ‘We continue to encourage all Bhabinkamtibmas officers to get to know their communities, understand local culture, and be present in every positive activity. The closer the police are to the community, the stronger the collaboration in maintaining security and order,’ he said.