Defence Minister Claims Territorial Development Battalions Could Cut Mugging Incidents

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has claimed that the widespread deployment of territorial development battalions across the country could reduce the incidence of mugging. He stated the claimed benefits of the battalions during a hearing with Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. In front of members of Commission I of the DPR, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin explained the rationale for his agency and the Indonesian Armed Forces to plan the formation of 750 BTP, targeted to be completed within five years. He said the plan is intended to safeguard national sovereignty. Moreover, Indonesia currently has a large number of regencies/cities, namely 514, with around 11 border areas with other countries. According to him, soldiers who establish bases in each region regularly train and patrol using Defence Ministry vehicles. He is optimistic that crime in several regions nationwide will fall after the territorial development battalions are formed. ‘The mugging and crime there, which used to be down by a certain percentage, is now reduced by more than 50 percent,’ he said.