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Arrogant Motorcyclist Claims to be Soldier, Insists on Riding on Sidewalk in Depok
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Arrogant Motorcyclist Claims to be Soldier, Insists on Riding on Sidewalk in Depok

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • A viral video showed a motorcyclist claiming to be a soldier while riding on a sidewalk in Depok, Indonesia.
  • The Indonesian Army (TNI) confirmed the individual is not a soldier but a private sector employee.
  • The motorcyclist later issued a public apology after clarifying his status and admitting fault for using the pedestrian walkway and riding against traffic.

A viral video captured a heated exchange in Depok, Indonesia, where a motorcyclist, claiming to be a soldier, aggressively confronted a pedestrian who was reprimanding him for riding on the sidewalk. The incident, which occurred on Jalan Kartini, quickly gained traction on social media.

This is for pedestrians, not for motorcycles. You are riding here, so don't set a bad example if something is wrong.

— PedestrianThe pedestrian confronts the motorcyclist for riding on the sidewalk.

The pedestrian repeatedly told the motorcyclist that the sidewalk was designated for pedestrians and urged him not to set a bad example. The motorcyclist, wearing a batik shirt, responded by asserting his identity as a member of the military, stating, "I am a member, not anything else." The pedestrian retorted, "I don't care if you are a member or not. I want to go to church, don't make me emotional. If you are a soldier, you shouldn't follow what is wrong."

I am a member, not anything else.

— MotorcyclistThe motorcyclist claims to be a soldier during the confrontation.

Following the widespread circulation of the video, the Indonesian Army (TNI) clarified that the individual in question is not affiliated with their ranks. Colonel Ginanjar Wahyutomo stated that an investigation confirmed the motorcyclist is a private sector employee. The individual, identified as Syaiful Anwar, works in marketing.

I don't care if you are a member or not. I want to go to church, don't make me emotional. If you are a soldier, you shouldn't follow what is wrong.

— PedestrianThe pedestrian responds to the motorcyclist's claim of being a soldier.

In a subsequent video, Syaiful Anwar, accompanied by two TNI members, issued a public apology. He expressed remorse for tarnishing the reputation of the TNI and apologized to pedestrians for misusing the sidewalk and riding against traffic. He emphasized that he is an ordinary citizen and not a member of the military.

Why? Why? Many people do this. My house is nearby.

— MotorcyclistThe motorcyclist defends his actions during the argument.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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