Police in Makassar Intercept Daihatsu Sigra Over Dangerous Saw-Tooth Bumper Modification and Fake EV License Plates

A viral social media video capturing a routine traffic stop in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has ignited a widespread public discussion regarding vehicle modification safety, regulatory compliance, and road etiquette in Indonesia. The footage, originally published by the Traffic Unit of the Makassar Polrestabes (Traffic Directorate of the Makassar Metropolitan Police), showcases a modified Daihatsu Sigra—a popular Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) model—outfitted with dangerous, razor-sharp iron plating attached to its rear bumper. The modification, resembling the jagged teeth of a saw, presented an immediate physical threat to vulnerable road users, particularly motorcyclists and pedestrians following closely behind in congested urban traffic.

Beyond the hazard posed by the custom metalwork, the vehicle was also found to be sporting altered license plates designed to mimic the distinct visual identifiers of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The convergence of hazardous structural alterations and administrative deception prompted swift intervention from law enforcement officers on the scene. The incident underscores a growing enforcement challenge for Indonesian traffic authorities as vehicle customization trends occasionally cross legal boundaries, prioritizing aggressive aesthetic modifications over public safety standards.

Chronology of the Traffic Interception

The incident came to light following the publication of an enforcement video on official social media channels, specifically the Instagram account managed by the Satlantas Polrestabes Makassar, on Wednesday, September 16. While the precise initial moment of the vehicle’s pursuit was not heavily detailed in the footage, the recorded interaction begins with a traffic officer inspecting the rear section of the halted Daihatsu Sigra.

Upon closer inspection, the patrol officer identified an aftermarket metal attachment securely bolted or welded to the lower portion of the rear bumper. The modification featured protruding, triangular metal shards designed with sharp edges reminiscent of industrial cutting equipment. Recognizing the extreme vulnerability such a design introduces to trailing motorists, the officer immediately confronted the driver, demanding the immediate removal of the hazardous accessory.

"Hey, change this, pull it out. It’s dangerous. You cannot do something like this; it could hurt people," the officer stated during the recorded exchange. The officer further emphasized the severe physical consequences that would ensue if a trailing vehicle, particularly a motorcycle, were to experience a minor rear-end collision with the modified car. In such a scenario, the unyielding, razor-like plates could easily penetrate safety gear or inflict catastrophic, life-threatening injuries.

During the vehicle audit, the inspecting officers also turned their attention to the car’s registration plates. The vehicle displayed the registration number DD 1458 CIO, but with a notable visual customization: the lower border of the plate was painted in a distinct blue hue. In Indonesia, this specific blue accent is legally reserved exclusively for officially registered electric vehicles to help law enforcement and parking systems easily identify zero-emission transport. The driver of the internal combustion engine (ICE) Sigra was subsequently asked to present standard vehicle documentation, or Surat Tanda Nomor Kendaraan (STNK), to verify ownership and registration details.

The confrontation concluded with mandatory corrective action on the spot. Footage from the final segments of the video demonstrates the driver actively dismantling the hazardous metal plating, cutting away the saw-tooth attachments from the bumper. Furthermore, the vehicle’s altered license plates were corrected to comply with standard regulatory color schemes, stripping away the unauthorized electric vehicle styling.

Regulatory Framework Governing Vehicle Modifications in Indonesia

The interception of the modified Daihatsu Sigra brings the legal frameworks governing vehicle modifications in Indonesia into sharp focus. Under Indonesian Law No. 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transport (UU LLAJ), any modification to a motor vehicle that alters its technical specifications, dimensions, engine capacity, or design must undergo rigorous administrative and technical testing to ensure it does not compromise road safety or environmental standards.

Specifically, Article 50 and Article 52 of UU LLAJ stipulate that vehicle modifications must be reported, approved, and officially recorded by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). Unauthorized alterations that jeopardize the safety of road users are strictly prohibited. Modifications that introduce sharp external protrusions violate basic manufacturing and safety homologation standards designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists from severe trauma during low-speed impacts.

Furthermore, the unauthorized alteration of license plates—such as painting blue accents to simulate an electric vehicle—constitutes a violation of administrative regulations concerning vehicle identification numbers and registration markers. License plates (Tanda Nomor Kendaraan Bermotor or TNKB) are official state-issued documents. Tampering with their visual format to misrepresent a vehicle’s propulsion type can be classified as an attempt to deceive traffic surveillance systems, electronic road pricing (ERP) initiatives, or preferential parking schemes designated for genuine green vehicles.

Safety Implications of External Protrusions

Transportation safety analysts and automotive engineers have long warned against the dangers of adding rigid, sharp, or protruding accessories to consumer automobiles. While aesthetic customization remains a vibrant subculture within Indonesia’s automotive community—often driven by trends popularized on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram—the line between personal expression and public endangerment is sharply defined by physics.

In dense urban environments like Makassar, where motorcycle traffic significantly outnumbers passenger cars, rear-end collisions are among the most common types of traffic accidents. In a standard factory-spec vehicle, bumpers are engineered with energy-absorbing crumple zones and smooth contours designed to distribute impact forces evenly and minimize localized trauma to a striking object or person.

By contrast, attaching saw-toothed metal plates to a bumper transforms a standard commuter car into a localized hazard. Even a minor misjudgment by a trailing motorcyclist in heavy stop-and-go traffic could result in severe lacerations, amputation risks, or fatal puncture wounds. Traffic safety advocates have consistently urged law enforcement agencies to maintain strict surveillance over hazardous aftermarket accessories, noting that social media virality often encourages copycat modifications among impressionable drivers seeking online attention.

The Broader Context of LCGC Customization and Public Compliance

The choice of vehicle involved in the viral incident—the Daihatsu Sigra—also highlights demographic and cultural trends within Indonesia’s automotive landscape. As a Low Cost Green Car (LCGC), the Sigra, alongside its sibling the Toyota Calya, represents one of the most widely adopted family transport solutions in the country. Known for its affordability, fuel efficiency, and seven-passenger capacity, the vehicle is ubiquitous across both metropolitan centers and regional cities.

Because of its high market penetration, owners frequently turn to aftermarket modifications to individualize their vehicles. However, the intersection of budget-friendly vehicle ownership and extreme modification subcultures sometimes yields unpredictable results. While the vast majority of LCGC owners focus on interior comfort, audio upgrades, or subtle body kits, a minority engage in eccentric modifications intended to stand out in traffic or generate viral content online.

Law enforcement agencies across Indonesia have increasingly utilized social media platforms not only for public outreach but also as active monitoring tools. By leveraging viral videos uploaded by citizens or recorded by patrol units, traffic directorates can quickly identify and penalize traffic violations that bypass traditional checkpoint inspections. The swift action taken by Satlantas Polrestabes Makassar serves as a clear deterrent against the installation of dangerous external hardware.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The case of the modified Daihatsu Sigra in Makassar serves as a potent reminder of the responsibilities held by vehicle owners regarding public safety. While personal customization is a legal right subject to specific administrative approvals, modifications that directly threaten the physical well-being of fellow road users will continue to meet with zero-tolerance enforcement from Indonesian traffic authorities.

As digital monitoring and public vigilance via social media amplify the visibility of traffic violations, motorists are increasingly reminded that styling trends must remain strictly within the boundaries of traffic law and common safety standards. The prompt removal of the dangerous saw-tooth plates and the restoration of standard license plates in this case successfully neutralized an immediate hazard, reinforcing the primacy of road safety over transient internet aesthetics.