JAKARTA—The Indonesian policeman who shot to fame in April by lip-synching and grooving to an Indian Bollywood hit in a YouTube video has been sacked and forced to hand in his badge.
Norman Kamaru, 26, captured the hearts of Bollywood film fans world over when he was discovered online in his police uniform mouthing the words and dancing to the song “Chaiyya Chaiyya”.
After the video went viral, the national police held Kamaru up as a friendly-faced mascot for their much-loathed institution, but after the star skipped 85 days of work to pursue a singing career, police finally sacked him.
“He may think that his new career is much better than being a policeman, but he’s mistaken,” National Police spokesman Saud Usman Nasution told AFP Wednesday.
“With his creative skills, he could have helped the police interact better with people.”
With a $100,000 music deal under his belt, Kamaru tried to leave the force in July, but police rejected his resignation, saying he was bound to a 10-year contract.
Kamaru was more than happy to lose his job, which earned him around $100 a month.
“Thank God. I accepted the news with a joy,” he told Kompas news website ahead of appearing on a TV chat show.
“I had actually tendered my resignation but they did not approve it. And now, out of the blue, I’m fired. I’ve just accepted it.”
Wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and bearing a tongue ring, Kamaru said he was happy with his new life and was ready to embark on his new singing career.
“By wearing these clothes, I feel comfortable and relaxed, as I can mingle more easily with people. In a police uniform, I always have to behave,” he said.