The Jelly-Bullet Toy-Gun War Phenomenon Sparks Alarm in Makassar
The jelly-bullet toy gun war phenomenon has unsettled residents in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, particularly in Makassar, in recent times. The trend involves youths and teenagers imitating ‘gangsters in computer games’ and firing at one another with jelly-bullet toy weapons.
Recently, the issue drew national attention after a police officer attempting to quell the toy-weapon skirmish in Makassar ended in a shooting that killed a young man. Iptu N, the head of the Criminal Investigation Unit at Panakukang Police Sector, now faces ethical and criminal proceedings related to the shooting that occurred while trying to quell the jelly-bullet toy gun riot on Sunday, 1 March.
Following the incident, the jelly-bullet toy gun skirmish, with impacts on local residents, continued in South Sulawesi. In Gowa Regency, about 50 kilometres from Makassar, a 15-year-old boy sustained eye injuries and faced the threat of blindness after being struck by a jelly-bullet shot. The incident occurred on Thursday, 5 March, at around 21:30 WITA. The victim was sitting with several friends in front of a shop in Desa Lempangan, Bajeng District, Gowa, when a group of motorcycle riders arrived carrying the toy weapons. The youths on motorbikes opened fire on the group, striking the victim in the right eye.
The Gowa Police Criminal Investigation Unit began an inquiry into the case. ‘Yes, we have received the report and it is currently under investigation,’ said Ipda Aditya Pamungkas, head of the Jatanras unit of the Gowa Police, when contacted by the press on Friday, 6 March. ‘The perpetrators move on motorcycles. Whenever they see a crowd of youths sitting or gathering, they open fire jelly-bullets indiscriminately,’ he added.
As a result of the shooting, the victim was rushed to hospital for medical treatment. ‘The victim sustained a jelly-bullet injury to the right eye and was immediately taken to hospital,’ he explained.
The Chief of Police in Gowa, AKBP Muhammad Aldy Sulaiman, stated that those responsible would be dealt with firmly for endangering the public. He noted that the victim had no prior dispute with the perpetrators; they were attacked suddenly by a group of youths wielding jelly-bullet toy guns.
‘I ordered the Jatanras and Resmob, as well as the Kamneg and the Intelligence divisions, to pursue the offenders until they are captured,’ he said.
Meanwhile, in the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin said the city would work with relevant parties to prevent the Jelly-Bullet Toy Gun fights from recurring. He noted that the incident followed the fatal shooting of Betrand Eka Prasetyo (18) by police dispersing the riot, and stressed that the shooting games must be tackled seriously by all parties.
‘This cannot be allowed to continue; these shooting games must be addressed seriously by all parties,’ Appi told reporters on Friday, 6 March. He added that the trend has become a phenomenon around Ramadan. He said the jelly-bullet warfare could endanger nearby residents and disrupt public order.
‘Coordinated handling and supervision are needed, from the Police and district governments to families and RT/RW groups,’ he said. Although a game, Appi maintained that shooting with jelly bullets can injure others and may trigger conflict or unrest in the community.
‘It is not merely a toy. If it injures others and disrupts public order, there must be decisive action from security authorities,’ he explained.
In addition to the police and related authorities, Appi urged parents to collaborate by supervising their children, especially during the evenings after Tarawih prayers. ‘The role of families is crucial in preventing children from taking part in such risky activities,’ he said.
Warning from the Makassar DPRD
Citing DetikSulsel, Ari Ashari, the head of Commission D of the Makassar City Council, warned on Monday, 3 February, about the trend of jelly-bullet toy warfare, especially during Ramadan. ‘There are RT/RW heads and military/police personnel below; this should be optimised to deter activities at the smallest level. It may be a toy weapon, but it can spark a riot or group warfare and become a criminal issue,’ he said.
Ari noted that such activity is often accompanied by traffic violations and disturbances that threaten public order, and warned that the phenomenon tends to occur during Ramadan. ‘Children usually engage in convoys and processions after tarawih prayers,’ he added.
Appi also criticised that the activity had already exceeded reasonable boundaries, with pursuits and shooting from motorcycles. ‘Its use is sometimes excessive; firing from motorbikes is, in my view, a problem that cannot be ignored. All parties must restrain themselves,’ he said.
Municipal and police steps
The Makassar Police have stated they will crack down on those playing with plastic guns that have gone viral for injuring people and endangering others. ‘If similar incidents occur again, we will act in accordance with procedures; if needed, we will disperse and seize the weapons,’ said Kombes Arya in Makassar on Wednesday, as reported by Antara. He explained that these plastic weapons were originally used as…