Golkar Faction Chairman in DPR: The State Must Not Lose to Street Criminals

Jakarta, VIVA – M. Sarmuji, Chairman of the Golkar Party Faction in the DPR RI, has voiced profound concern regarding the proliferation of street crimes and muggings occurring in various regions throughout May 2026. Several cases have been reported in Lampung, Makassar, Pasuruan, Bandung, Tangerang, West Jakarta, and other areas, engendering unease and a sense of insecurity among the public.

According to Sarmuji, mugging incidents cannot be viewed as ordinary crimes due to their significant impact on public safety in conducting daily activities, particularly from evening until early morning.

“The state must not lose to street criminals. When the public begins to fear leaving their homes or travelling due to mugging threats, what is disrupted is not only security but also citizens’ economic activities and social life,” Sarmuji stated in a written release in Jakarta on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.

He called on the police to intensify routine patrols and preventive operations at crime-prone points, especially in quiet roads, suburban residential areas, industrial access routes, and inter-regional connecting roads that often serve as mugging locations.

“Prevention must be strengthened. The presence of officers in the field is crucial so that the public feels protected. Do not let handling only occur after there are victims,” he stressed.

Sarmuji also highlighted the impact of street criminality on small business operators and people who rely on income from night-time activities. The prevalence of muggings and thuggery, in his view, makes many vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, couriers, and MSME actors feel threatened while working.

“Thuggery and muggings do not only disrupt security but also strike at the public’s small enterprises. Vendors become afraid to stay open until late, drivers fear passing certain routes, and ultimately, the people’s economic activities are affected,” he said.

He assessed that the state must be present to provide a sense of security for the small people who seek their livelihood daily in public spaces. Therefore, Sarmuji requested that the authorities not only focus on case enforcement after they go viral but also undertake preventive measures and mapping of criminal groups that trouble residents.

“Do not let public spaces be dominated by fear. The state must ensure that small people can work and earn a living safely without intimidation or criminal threats,” he stated.