Metro Jaya Police Respond to LBH Criticism Over Begal Hunters Team: Actions Target Only Armed Suspects

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Police Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation at Polda Metro Jaya, emphasised that the repressive actions carried out by the Begal Hunters Team are directed only at criminals who threaten the public or police officers on the ground. The statement followed criticism from LBH Jakarta, which argued that the Begal Hunters Team could be prone to repressive conduct. Iman said that during the four days of the operation, officers fired only at perpetrators who used firearms. He added that offenders who did not resist or threaten residents and officers would not face repressive action. Iman stressed that all on-site personnel continue to adhere to applicable rules, from the Police Regulation (Perkap) to the Penal Code (KUHP) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (KUHAP). One example cited by Iman was a motorcycle theft case in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Sunday, 10 May 2026. Based on CCTV footage, one of the perpetrators armed with a firearm briefly fired into the air and at residents who confronted them. According to Iman, a member of the public even had to undergo hospital treatment as a result of the incident. Therefore, he said, repressive action is only aimed at perpetrators who also engage in actions that endanger others. He noted that personnel have been equipped with training and understanding to avoid abusing authority. ‘Our officers are equipped with knowledge and awareness, and we also continue to provide skill training to our officers so that we can carry out firm and measured actions that are precisely targeted. This is intended to prevent even greater casualties,’ Iman said. Earlier, LBH Jakarta Director Fadhil Alfathan described the formation of the Begal Hunters Team as potentially producing adverse impacts. According to Fadhil, such a specialised unit to tackle street crime is not new, but street crime continues to occur and disturb the public.