Chief Secretary of State Intelligence Agency Zaelani denied signing a circular letter containing aban for BIN staff from growing beard and wearing trousers above the ankles.
Zaelani claimedthat the letter was illegitimate.
"The circular letter dated May 15, 2017 written on a BIN letterhead that has my signature on it, containing prohibition of BIN staff to grow beard and wear cropped trousers is not credible," he said.
Zaelani said there was indeed a circular letter for the agency staff but it was released on April 5, 2017 and it did not mention beard, long hair nor baggy trousers at all.
The letter, according to Zaelani, only stated"It is instructed to all BIN staff to comply with all existing regulations in appearance and behavior, for the realization of professional, objective and honest BIN staff".
"We hope this will clarify the real situation," said Zaelani.
Zaelani's statement however, is contradictoryto what BIN Spokeperson Sundawan Salya's said yesterday.
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Sundawan confirmed the validity of the letter as well as the ban.
"Through the regulation, we want to maintain the aesthetics and ethics in dressing," said Sundawan.
Sundawan was bewildered that the internal memo waspublished to the public.
"This is part of the BIN's (internal) affairs, not a public consumption. We have a code of ethics and rules in every agency," said Sundawan.