Children Heavily Recruited into Blade-Wielding Gangs in Mataram
The Mataram Municipal Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) has discovered indications that underage children are being recruited to join specific gangs. Once recruited, these minors are allegedly encouraged to engage in deviant activities, such as carrying sharp weapons (sajam) and participating in illegal street racing.
This follows the recent viral spread of a video on social media showing a group of youths brandishing blades over one metre in length and using profanity. The actions have caused widespread fear and anxiety among Mataram residents, particularly regarding safety during nighttime hours.
“Our main concern is how the gang leader recruits underage children who are essentially unaware of these activities and then pulls them into membership,” said the Head of Mataram Municipal Satpol PP, Irwan Rahadi, during an interview on Monday (14/09/2026).
Irwan noted that the recruited minors are predominantly from the Mataram area, with some originating from West Lombok. The group frequently utilises late-night hours when streets are quiet to carry out their activities on the outskirts of the city.
“I have coordinated with the Head of the Education Office to implement guidance and supervision for underage school children,” he added.
It was previously reported that the police are proceeding with legal action against the teenagers who brandished weapons while convoying at the Jempong Roundabout, Sekarbally District, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Of the 24 teenagers apprehended, six individuals have been named as suspects.
The Head of Criminal Investigation at Mataram City Police, AKP I Made Dharma Yulia Putra, revealed that five of the six suspects have been detained immediately. One individual is only subject to mandatory reporting due to being under the age of 14.
“Under the Juvenile Criminal Justice System (SPPA), the minimum age for detention in a juvenile correctional facility is 14 years,” Dharma stated on Monday (14/09/2026).
Dharma noted that the five suspects are being held in different locations. Specifically, two are detained at the Mataram City Police Detention Centre, while the other three are at the Central Lombok Juvenile Correctional Institution (LPKA).
“Two of those detained at the Mataram Police Detention Centre are adults, aged 19. The others are aged 14, 15, and 16,” he added.
According to Dharma, the six suspects are facing charges under Article 307, paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code (KUHP). This article regulates the possession and carrying of sharp weapons in inappropriate places.
The actions of the teenagers brandishing weapons during a convoy in Mataram previously went viral on social media. The video, lasting 1 minute and 7 seconds, showed a group of youths displaying various blades measuring up to one metre in length.
The display of weapons was accompanied by the use of profanity. It was later discovered that the weapons were purchased online for approximately Rp 135,000. Police stated that the teenagers’ motive for brandishing the weapons was merely for show.