Civil Society Coalition Criticizes Military Deployment Against Street Crime in Jakarta

A coalition of civil society groups has strongly criticized the planned deployment of combat battalions by Kodam Jaya to tackle street crime, or 'begal,' in Jakarta. The coalition deems the move a misguided and excessive policy that blurs the distinction between defense and security roles in Indonesia.

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In recent times, the tendency to expand the military's role in civilian spheres has worsened in handling Non-War Military Operations (OMSP), it is excessive and disproportionate.

"In recent times, the tendency to expand the military's role in civilian spheres has worsened in handling Non-War Military Operations (OMSP), it is excessive and disproportionate," stated Ardi Manto Adiputra, a representative of the coalition, on Tuesday. The group believes involving the military in handling civilian criminality like street robberies contradicts the principles of reform and risks fostering a repressive approach.

The coalition expressed regret over the increasing reliance on militaristic solutions for civilian and criminal issues. They argued that the post-1998 security sector reform aimed to end military dominance in civilian life and ensure the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) focused on national defense. "When street crime, terrorism, social conflicts, and domestic security issues are continuously answered by military deployment, the state is moving backward from the spirit of reform and demonstrating a failure to strengthen civilian institutions that should be the primary guardians of law enforcement and public security," Ardi added.

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When street crime, terrorism, social conflicts, and domestic security issues are continuously answered by military deployment, the state is moving backward from the spirit of reform and demonstrating a failure to strengthen civilian institutions that should be the primary guardians of law enforcement and public security.

Ardi emphasized that the TNI is a state defense tool prepared for war and external armed threats, not for handling common criminal acts within society. He urged that the issue of street crime falls under the responsibility of the police and local government. "When the state chooses to deploy combat battalions to confront street crime, it is showing an over-reactive nature and failing to distinguish between defense threats and public security issues," he said. The coalition warned that using military approaches for civilian crime is dangerous, normalizing militarism in public life and prioritizing a logic of war over legal solutions, a practice the 1998 reform agenda sought to correct.

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When the state chooses to deploy combat battalions to confront street crime, it is showing an over-reactive nature and failing to distinguish between defense threats and public security issues.