DPR Deputy Speaker Demands Crackdown on 'Iron Termites' Endangering Public Safety

The Deputy Chair of Commission III of the DPR, Ahmad Sahroni, has highlighted the activities of individuals involved in stealing iron from public facilities, such as pedestrian overpasses (JPO) and parks. He has called upon the Metro Jaya Regional Police to eradicate these perpetrators as their actions endanger the public.

“The actions of these individuals could endanger many lives. Therefore, I request that the Metro Jaya Regional Police take the theft of public facilities, which is currently rampant, seriously,” Sahroni stated in his remarks on Tuesday (7/7/2026).

He noted that thieves are targeting reservoir barriers, culvert covers, and iron railings on pedestrian overpasses. He warned that these criminals will become increasingly widespread if left unchecked.

“Starting from reservoir barrier iron, culvert cover iron, iron on pedestrian overpasses, and so on. Initially, they may act once or twice, but if left alone, it will continue to recur and become more rampant,” said Sahroni.

Furthermore, Sahroni requested that the police take firm action against those stealing iron from public facilities. He stated that besides being dangerous, the public is also being victimised.

“The state is also disadvantaged because it must continuously repair damaged facilities, while the public becomes victims by losing their right to use safe and proper public facilities. Moreover, Jakarta already has thousands of CCTVs distributed across many locations. I hope the police utilise them to the maximum to identify and arrest the perpetrators,” he added.

Previously, iron railings in a park beneath the Kampung Melayu flyover in East Jakarta were stolen. Residents reported that the theft had occurred over the last four days.

“A week ago, the railings were still there, but in the last few days, about three to four days, they have vanished; the thieves took the railings very quickly,” said a local resident, Ana (38), at the Kampung Melayu flyover, Jakarta.

Videos of these ‘iron termites’ openly stealing park railings have gone viral on social media. The perpetrators have been acting brazenly at certain times without arousing suspicion from residents.