Jakarta – Choose a rank, the security force, shell out Rp 300,000 (S$59), and a well-known shop in Central Jakarta will outfit its customer with everything one needs to be a military or police officer. From the caps and shirt with all the trimmings, to trousers, belt, boots – everything is available for a fee.

And those who have ambitions of having subordinates can buy insignias indicating that they are commanders. Don't know which insignia goes where? Not a problem. The shop assistants willingly give instructions.

"Put this 'Metro Jaya' badge along with the 'Polda' emblem on the right arm. And these 'Jakarta' and 'Sabhara' emblems go on the left sleeve," one said, producing a sample of the correct emblem layout.

Pointing at a gold band on a police cap, the shop assistant advised: "An officer's cap has this gold band, that of a soldier has a silver band."

Most of the shops selling police and military uniforms have a wide collection of emblems and pins, and anyone can buy them for any purpose because the assistants usually do not ask too many questions about the buyer.

Officially, they are supposed to ask buyers to prove they are legitimate members of the force by producing official ID cards. But on the ground, anything goes.