BYD Factory Construction Disrupted by Organised Thuggery, Drawing International Attention
Thuggery by mass organisations (ormas) targeting BYD has once again become a topic of discussion, with the issue now reaching Chinese media outlets.
Recently, news of disruptions to the construction of BYD's factory in Subang, West Java, has spread as far as China. "In Indonesia, the dream of becoming Southeast Asia's electric vehicle (EV) hub collides with an age-old enemy: organised crime groups known as preman," wrote the South China Morning Post on Tuesday (6 May).
In a report entitled "Indonesia's EV Revolution Held Hostage by Preman Gangster Problem", the publication noted that thuggery has always been a persistent threat to industry players. What began as harassment of street vendors and small businesses has now extended to BYD's production facilities — a project widely expected to deliver positive economic benefits for the country.
"They have now become a force deeply embedded in the nation's economic and political order," the report continued.
The report also revealed that BYD is not the sole victim of such intimidation. VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has also fallen prey to similar tactics. The situation has disappointed many stakeholders, as it is seen as potentially hindering the growth of Indonesia's EV industry.
**Government Pledges to Crack Down on Thuggery**
The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has indicated its willingness to intervene in the case affecting the Chinese brand. Officials said they would communicate with BYD Indonesia to resolve the ormas-related disruptions to factory construction in Subang, West Java.
"Today we will try to contact our colleagues at BYD to assess the situation," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM.
Nurul stated that following discussions with BYD, the BKPM would coordinate with the Anti-Thuggery Task Force to ensure that acts of intimidation and other disruptive activities are dealt with effectively.
He also noted that the BKPM has consistently maintained that thuggery and fraudulent levies are highly disruptive — not only in terms of comfort for business operators, but also in tarnishing Indonesia's investment climate in the eyes of the world.
"Anyone could pick up on the narrative that Indonesia is unsafe, that Indonesia has a thuggery problem," Nurul warned.
He further emphasised that in the current global economic climate, Indonesia should be strengthening its competitiveness.
Recently, news of disruptions to the construction of BYD's factory in Subang, West Java, has spread as far as China. "In Indonesia, the dream of becoming Southeast Asia's electric vehicle (EV) hub collides with an age-old enemy: organised crime groups known as preman," wrote the South China Morning Post on Tuesday (6 May).
In a report entitled "Indonesia's EV Revolution Held Hostage by Preman Gangster Problem", the publication noted that thuggery has always been a persistent threat to industry players. What began as harassment of street vendors and small businesses has now extended to BYD's production facilities — a project widely expected to deliver positive economic benefits for the country.
"They have now become a force deeply embedded in the nation's economic and political order," the report continued.
The report also revealed that BYD is not the sole victim of such intimidation. VinFast, the Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer, has also fallen prey to similar tactics. The situation has disappointed many stakeholders, as it is seen as potentially hindering the growth of Indonesia's EV industry.
**Government Pledges to Crack Down on Thuggery**
The Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has indicated its willingness to intervene in the case affecting the Chinese brand. Officials said they would communicate with BYD Indonesia to resolve the ormas-related disruptions to factory construction in Subang, West Java.
"Today we will try to contact our colleagues at BYD to assess the situation," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM.
Nurul stated that following discussions with BYD, the BKPM would coordinate with the Anti-Thuggery Task Force to ensure that acts of intimidation and other disruptive activities are dealt with effectively.
He also noted that the BKPM has consistently maintained that thuggery and fraudulent levies are highly disruptive — not only in terms of comfort for business operators, but also in tarnishing Indonesia's investment climate in the eyes of the world.
"Anyone could pick up on the narrative that Indonesia is unsafe, that Indonesia has a thuggery problem," Nurul warned.
He further emphasised that in the current global economic climate, Indonesia should be strengthening its competitiveness.