Jakarta – An artist from Jakarta, La Ode, 29, won the 2021 Bhayangkara Mural Festival. La Ode raised the theme of the attitude of individuals who often harass the public.
La Ode admitted that the theme was raised because of his concern about police officers who often abuse their rank for personal gain. One of them is related to illegal levies (extortion).
“As law enforcers, they can arbitrarily treat the community,” said La Ode at the Bhayangkara Field of the National Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, Saturday, October 30, 2021.
La Ode admitted there was no pressure when painting his work at the police headquarters. This is because the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has invited mural makers to make this competition a forum for criticizing the government or the National Police.
“Yesterday, there was a controversial mural issue, so this shows also from the police that they are not anti-criticism,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Listyo said that this mural competition was judged by a jury who did not come from the police and had unquestionable competence. He said that La Ode’s criticism would be an improvement for his institution.
“This is the aspiration of people’s expectations regarding the improvement of the National Police in the future,” Listyo explained.
A total of 803 muralists from 34 provinces participated in the activity. Hundreds of participants were selected and 80 muralists were selected.
Then, dozens of muralists were sent to the National Police Headquarters to realize the design. A total of 10 muralists were chosen as winners.