Army Chief: TNI Doesn't Handle Muggers, Muggers Are Scared Because Soldiers Are Present

Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General TNI Maruli Simanjuntak has stated that the force is not involved in handling the issue of street muggers. He stressed that criminals become fearful upon seeing soldiers. “No, who is handling muggers? No one is handling muggers. Muggers become scared because there are soldiers, that’s how it is. Not getting involved in handling them,” Maruli told reporters at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, 10 June 2016. Maruli said that his side instead prioritises involvement in the development of 3T regions (disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost). The force prioritises assisting projects with high levels of manpower and dedication. “So we are working on things that are beyond the reach of ministries, for example, remote islands. Because the project value is not large, but the work requires extraordinary transportation. Soon there will be activities on our outermost islands,” he said. Previously, Head of the Army Information Service (Kadispenad) Brigadier General TNI Donny Pramono affirmed that the involvement of the Army in tackling muggings is part of legitimate military operations other than war (OMSP) based on statutory provisions. Donny Pramono said this involvement is carried out through a mechanism of assistance to the police in accordance with Law Number 3 of 2002 concerning National Defence and Law Number 34 of 2004 concerning the TNI. “The assistance is carried out in accordance with statutory provisions in the duties of military operations other than war and based on an official request from the police,” Donny said during a press conference in Jakarta, Friday, 29 May 2026. He stressed that the TNI’s involvement does not include law enforcement authority, as that remains the authority of the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia. Donny explained that the Army only plays a role in assisting the police through security activities such as joint patrols and providing humane education to the public regarding the prevention of street crime. He said the Army will continue to strengthen collaboration with the National Police to maintain public security and order.