Golkar Faction Supports Police in Taking Firm Action Against Street Criminals

Jakarta - The Chairman of the Golkar Party faction in the House of Representatives, Muhammad Sarmuji, has expressed full support for the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to take firm action against muggers and other street crimes that are greatly disturbing the public. He stated that law enforcement officials must demonstrate the presence of the state through swift, measured, and uncompromising steps that leave no room for criminal groups to develop. “Polri must take firm action against thuggery and mugging that disrupts the public. The public must not feel that the law is defeated by criminal groups that make citizens afraid to carry out activities and earn a living,” said Sarmuji in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday. On the other hand, the General Secretary of the Golkar Party urged the public to remain vigilant, look after their neighbourhoods, and immediately report any suspicious activities in their respective areas. According to him, mugging cannot be viewed as ordinary criminal acts because their impact is significant on the public’s sense of security in carrying out daily activities, especially from night until early morning. “The state must not lose to street criminals. When the public starts 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,” he said. He requested that police increase routine patrols and prevention operations at crime-prone points, especially in quiet roads, suburban residential areas, industrial access routes, and inter-regional connecting roads that often become mugging locations. “Prevention must be strengthened. The presence of officers in the field is very important so that the public feels protected. Do not let handling only be done after there are victims,” said Sarmuji. He also highlighted the impact of street crime on small business actors and the public who depend on income from night-time activities. The prevalence of mugging and thuggery, according to him, makes many traders, ojek drivers, couriers, and MSME actors feel threatened while working. “Thuggery and mugging not only disrupt security, but also hit small public businesses. Traders become afraid to stay open until night, drivers fear passing certain routes, and public economic activities are ultimately disrupted,” said Sarmuji. He assessed that the state must be present to provide a sense of security for small communities who earn their living every day in public spaces. Therefore, he asked that officials not only focus on handling cases after they go viral, but also carry out preventive measures and mapping of criminal groups that disturb the public. “Do not let public spaces be dominated by fear. The state must ensure that small communities can work and earn a living safely without intimidation or criminal threats,” he said. He also assessed that thuggery actions disguised as illegal levies, intimidation, or control of certain areas must be a serious concern for officials because they directly impact the business climate and public comfort. “If thuggery practices are allowed to continue, the public’s sense of security will continue to decline and small business actors will be the most affected. The state must be present to protect the public from all forms of intimidation and violence,” he said. Sarmuji also assessed that a comprehensive evaluation is needed of the security patterns in urban areas and supporting regions that have recently experienced an increase in street crime. According to him, strengthening the security system is not enough by relying only on conventional patrols, but also requires support from surveillance technology, street lighting, and active coordination between security apparatus, local government, and the public. “Many mugging cases occur in locations with minimal lighting and supervision. Local governments need to be more serious about improving public security facilities such as street lamps, CCTV, and neighbourhood supervision,” he said. He also reminded officials to take firm action against perpetrators, including networks of receivers of crime proceeds that often become part of the street crime chain. “Law enforcement must provide a deterrent effect. Street criminals who disturb the public must be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable law,” said Sarmuji.