Scavenging garbage to supplement salary!

A member of Indonesia's notoriously corrupt police is to be honoured for refusing to accept bribes during his 40-year career, instead scavenging garbage to supplement his meagre salary, an official said yesterday.

While many countries give awards for police bravery, Indonesian authorities have decided to honour policeman Seladi, 57, after he became a media sensation when the story of his determination not to accept kickbacks emerged.

Father-of-three Seladi -- who like many Indonesians goes by only one name -- insists he always refused bribes despite only earning the equivalent of about $400 a month and facing much temptation, as he worked in the department that issued driving licences in the city of Malang, on Java island.

In 2004, Seladi began scavenging from garbage dumps to top up his state income, earning on average an extra $5 a day, mostly by selling on recyclable items.

East Java province police spokesman Argo Yuwono said Seladi would be honoured at a ceremony on Indonesia's national police day on Friday for not accepting bribes, and for his dedication in supporting his family by doing extra work.

The spokesman did not say what exactly Seladi would receive.