Military Pursues Street Criminals, TNI Urges Public Not to Rush to Label It Militarism

The Head of the Information Centre of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters, Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, has asked the public not to immediately conclude that the involvement of soldiers in handling street robberies is part of militarism. According to him, what needs to be seen from this involvement are the objectives and the benefits felt by the community. “I urge everyone, the public, friends out there, do not be so quick to call our presence in the civilian domain a militarisation programme. Not at all,” Nas said during a press conference at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. Nas assessed that the current phenomenon of numerous street robberies has unsettled the public, making it necessary for military personnel to be deployed. He stated that the soldiers’ involvement in hunting street criminals like robbers is a form of TNI assistance to the police apparatus. Therefore, any robber successfully apprehended by TNI personnel will be handed over to the police for further action. Nas stressed that the TNI’s involvement in the civilian sphere does not violate any laws and regulations. The majority of the public were said to actually support the decision. “I once conducted an indirect survey, I asked, what is your response, ladies and gentlemen, if we also help with the robbers? ‘It’s fine, it’s actually good, we are even happy, we even need it’,” Nas said. For Nas, observers or groups that criticise this policy are merely people who have never been victims of a robbery. These groups, he said, would also blame the military once such an incident befalls them or their families. “The TNI is useless, robbers are left unchecked,” Nas remarked, mimicking the group he deemed would continue to criticise the TNI. The TNI’s involvement in hunting robbers was first announced on 22 May 2026 during a joint press conference with the Metro Jaya Regional Police. The participation of the military institution was undertaken in line with the increasing trend of street crime. During the period of 1-22 May 2026, the Metro Jaya Regional Police recorded at least 1,283 criminal cases occurring in the Jakarta area. A number of civil society coalitions have criticised the move. One rejection came from Asia Human Rights Watch. The international organisation assessed that the military should not be involved in civilian law enforcement. According to Asia Human Rights Watch Deputy Director Meenakshi Ganguly, the use of force in law enforcement situations must comply with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. Based on these principles, law enforcement officials, including military personnel, must prioritise non-violent means. “The Indonesian government has a responsibility to ensure public security. This includes the presumption of innocence, due process, and the rule of law,” Ganguly said in a written statement received on Friday, 5 June 2026. According to her, the government should not deploy the military in civilian law enforcement. Instead, it should support the police in conducting lawful investigations and prosecuting those responsible appropriately.