Illegal Levies Proliferate in North Jakarta, Eradication Efforts Lack Seriousness?

JAKARTA - The practice of illegal levies (pungli) in the Kamal Muara area of Penjaringan, North Jakarta, continues to proliferate and is said to be difficult to eradicate due to inconsistent enforcement efforts to date.

Criminologist and Professor at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, Adrianus Meliala, stated that illegal levies on logistics routes generally keep emerging because their eradication is not carried out seriously and sustainably.

“Even if they want to eradicate it, it’s not done seriously. Just once in a while. Just for show,” said Adrianus when contacted by Kompas.com via WhatsApp message on Friday (8/5/2026).

“In fact, to eliminate deviant culture, it requires a long breath and consistency,” he added.

The practice of illegal levies that has taken root in society requires handling that is greater than just ordinary enforcement.

“For a culture that is already supported by society, which feels the benefits of illegal levies, eradicating it requires Sabhara police and Brimob, requires counselling and firm action together,” said Adrianus.

In addition, he assessed that bureaucrats and law enforcement officials often reluctance to carry out large-scale eradication because they fear it will trigger unrest in the field.

Because, that could be indicated as a failure of those law enforcers.

It is known that several truck drivers have complained about the practice of illegal levies that continues to emerge in the Kamal Muara area even though enforcement has been carried out several times.

“There, it can’t disappear. Caught today, tomorrow there will be again, there will be again,” said Ardi when met by Kompas.com on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

According to him, the illegal levy practice also often triggers arguments with drivers, especially when drivers refuse to give money when passing through.