Extortion Not Merely a Crime, but a Reflection of Urban Economic Issues

BEKASI, KOMPAS.com — The extortion incident that struck a warteg in the Jalan Raya Pekayon area, South Bekasi, is considered not only as mere criminal action but also as a reflection of broader socio-economic issues in urban areas.

Social observer Mohammad Zaki Arrobi assesses that the prevalence of thuggery greatly depends on the seriousness of law enforcement officials in handling such cases.

According to him, the level of public trust in the authorities also influences victims’ courage to report.

Zaki stated that the public tends to voice their concerns through social media if law enforcement is deemed suboptimal.

This situation reinforces the public’s perception of the slogan “no viral no justice”.

“This resonates strongly with voices from various quarters,” he said.

According to Zaki, the term thuggery often refers to acts of violence in public spaces, such as illegal levies and coercion against business actors or road users.

However, this phenomenon needs to be viewed in a broader context, particularly from a socio-economic perspective.

Urbanisation with limited capital and skills makes it difficult for some people to access decent jobs in the city.

“Thuggery is not as simple as there being criminal perpetrators, but it is the tip of the iceberg of employment issues, job opportunities, and injustice in access to a decent life,” he said.

In the case of the warteg extortion in South Bekasi, Zaki assesses that both victims and perpetrators often come from relatively similar socio-economic backgrounds, namely vulnerable lower-class groups.

Thuggery can target anyone, but small business actors such as street vendors and warung owners are the most frequent victims.