'Thugs are violent and destroy things?'

Responding to increasing complaints about crime in the city, the Jakarta administration, police and military launched the first- ever official crackdown on thuggery and lawlessness. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts on thugs and this new campaign.

Sanityoso Rumantyo, 37, owns an automobile dealership. He lives in South Jakarta:

When I heard that city police had conducted raids against gamblers several weeks ago, I was thinking that why didn't they do such raids against thugs first.

And now the police have done it. That's great! I agree with the step taken by the authorities to eradicate thuggery because thugs either cause chaos or protect bad people.

What really bothers people is when they are required to pay protection money in an area. If we really think about it, they don't have any right to do that.

What I mean by thugs are people who are violent and destroy things.

Amelia Dewi Respati, 24, is a university student. She lives in Cibubur, East Jakarta:

I hate to admit that thugs have a role in our society. I blame it all on the system that allows them to exist.

For example, private companies are entitled to evict squatters from their property.

I remember a recent land acquisition case when a big developer company hired thugs to force residents to leave their homes.

So, I think it will be hard to get rid of thugs. Actually, it will be impossible if the authorities do not improve the system to make people have confidence in the administration officials and police officers, and not in hoodlums.

-- The Jakarta Post