LBH Says Mugging-Hunter Team Is Not Effective at Reducing Crime in Jakarta

Jakarta — The Jakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta) has criticised the decision by the Metro Jaya Regional Police to form a mugging-hunter team, saying it is unlikely to reduce crime rates. LBH Jakarta Director Fadhil Alfathan said there is legitimate concern about mugging, but establishing the special unit is not grounded in a comprehensive evaluation, and policing should remain the core duty of the police. He referenced the TV programme ‘86’, which showcased police performance in combating crime in Jakarta, but warned that without support from local government such efforts are unlikely to bring real change. ‘So the police’s work is like dredging the sea—it’s endless. Mugging has long existed with many victims. But why is the response always the same?’ he said. He also pointed to similar operations conducted by Polda Metro Jaya ahead of the 2018 Asian Games to curb street crime such as mugging, which reportedly led to fatalities. ‘We even found field data showing at least 15 people died. We fear this could happen again with the formation of the Mugging-Hunter Team.’ He argued that street crime is not solely a matter of criminality but also relates to social and economic problems, calling for a central role for the Jakarta Provincial Government in addressing the issue. ‘Structurally, the root cause is economic hardship; there are segments of society under economic pressure who commit crimes like mugging. This is not just a police matter—it is also a local government issue.’ Previously, Polda Metro Jaya launched the Mugging-Hunter Team in response to rising street robberies in vulnerable areas in the outskirts, including Bekasi, Depok, and Tangerang. The team is said to operate 24 hours a day, according to Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya.