Chamber of Commerce Urges Central Java Business Owners to Report Police if Thugs Posing as Civil Organisations Demand Year-End Bonuses

Business owners in Central Java Province have been urged to report cases of extortion involving year-end bonus (THR) payments by criminal elements posing as civil organisations. Such practices frequently occur in the lead-up to Eid celebrations.

“If there is pressure or extortion, business owners are expected to report to law enforcement authorities or coordinate with the regional government so that it can be followed up in accordance with applicable regulations,” said Hery Nuryanto, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Indonesia (Kadin) for Central Java Province, on Thursday (12 March 2026).

He emphasised that legal certainty and business security are key to maintaining a healthy investment climate in the region. Consequently, he hopes that the Central Java provincial government and police authorities can be alert in anticipating organised crime activities.

Regarding the potential for extortion involving year-end bonuses, Dedi Mulyadi, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) for Central Java, issued a similar appeal to Hery. Dedi stated that approximately 1,350 business owners under Apindo Central Java have been notified to resist or reject year-end bonus extortion by criminal elements posing as civil organisations.

“If there is extortion, we will certainly reject it. Because business owners should not bear unnecessary costs such as year-end bonuses to civil organisations. Especially given that this year there is an increase in wages, year-end bonuses for workers, and global market conditions are still affected by the US-Iran conflict, which has resulted in increased logistics costs,” Dedi said.