Song and dance in Indonesia over rocking cop

Apr 5, 2011, 5:31 GMT

Jakarta - An Indonesian policeman shown singing and dancing to an Indian song in a video has received an outpouring of support after his superior threatened to punish him, reports said Tuesday.

The video posted on YouTube shows Private Norman Kamaru in his police uniform, lip-syncing and dancing to the popular Hindi tune 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' in the presence of his colleagues at a police station in Gorontalo province.

The video went viral as Indonesians shared it on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Provincial police spokesman Wilson Damanik said Kamaru, a 26-year-old member of the Mobile Brigade crack unit, could face sanctions because his action was 'unethical.'

'First, because he was wearing the uniform and second, he did it while he was on duty,' Damanik was quoted as saying by Vivanews.com website.

The threat drew strong criticism from Indonesian netizens. A website and Facebook page have been created in his support.

'A policeman isn't allowed to sing and dance, while our president can sing and make albums?' wrote a Twitter user who goes by the username @amrazing.

He was referring to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is known for his penchant for singing and has recorded three albums.

Politicians also weighed in on the issue.

'The policeman was only dancing,' Bara Hasibuan, a deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party, said in his Twitter post. 'He didn't kill people or steal.'

He said police should instead investigate reports that some senior officers allegedly amassed huge wealth despite their meagre salaries.

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