'Thugs are violent and destroy things?'

'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