DPR Member Responds to TNI Involvement in Hunting Street Thugs

Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Syamsu Rizal, stated that the involvement of the Indonesian National Armed Forces in handling street robberies is legitimate. According to him, the action is a form of assistance to the police.

He concurred with the statement by Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak, who said that street criminals are afraid of soldiers, hence the military’s involvement in tackling such actions. “If street thugs are afraid of soldiers, it means the TNI indeed has authority,” he said in a written statement quoted on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

Nevertheless, he noted that this does not mean the police are powerless in addressing the problem of street crime, which has recently become rampant. He assessed that handling street robbery cases cannot be solely burdened on the police.

The National Awakening Party politician said the problem of street crime has become a shared responsibility of all stakeholders. “It is not only the task of the police, but also the regional government, sub-district heads, village heads, the TNI, and other citizens,” said Rizal.

Moreover, he noted that coordination between the police and the TNI in handling various security issues disturbing the public has been running well. “This cooperation and synergy must continue to be strengthened to maintain public security and order,” he said.

However, he stated that the aspects of law enforcement and criminal proceedings against street criminals remain the authority of the police. “The police have authority in the process of investigation, inquiry, and law enforcement against the perpetrators,” said Rizal.

Additionally, he assessed that handling the rise in street crime must begin at the preventive stage. He said prevention efforts need to be prioritised through strengthening environmental supervision, patrols, community guidance, and inter-agency coordination.

Previously, Army Chief of Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said street criminals are afraid of soldiers. Maruli said street thugs are reluctant to act when they see TNI personnel.

He conveyed this in response to criticism regarding the TNI’s involvement in handling street robberies. “Who is dealing with street thugs? No one is dealing with street thugs. The thugs become afraid because there are soldiers, you see. Not meddling. There are soldiers at that location. A thug sees soldiers, and he won’t go through with it,” said Maruli at the DPR complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

The involvement of soldiers in hunting street criminals was first announced on 22 May 2026 during a joint press conference with the Metro Jaya Regional Police. The participation of the military institution was carried out in line with the increasing trend of street crime.

Head of the TNI Headquarters Information Centre, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, asked the public not to immediately conclude that the involvement of soldiers in handling street robberies is part of militarism.

Nas assessed that the current phenomenon of numerous street robberies has caused public unrest, making it necessary to deploy military personnel. He stated that the involvement of soldiers in hunting street criminals like thugs is a form of TNI assistance to the police.