TNI Commander Approves Military Assistance in Combating Street Robbery
The surge in street robberies across several regions has prompted TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto to allow military personnel to assist the police in safeguarding public safety. However, the TNI has been clear that it will not be involved in law enforcement processes against the perpetrators.
TNI Spokesman Brigadier General Muhammad Nas stated that the approval is not a special operation order for eradicating street robberies. Instead, the TNI Commander has permitted military units to be present on the ground to support the police.
“There is no specific instruction from the TNI Commander for an anti-street robbery operation, but approving or permitting military personnel to be present on the ground is part of efforts to assist the police,” Nas said.
Nas emphasised that TNI personnel will not be involved in apprehending, interrogating, or legally processing robbery suspects. Their role is solely to help create a sense of security for communities in crime-prone areas.
He added that coordination with the police will be strengthened to prevent overlapping jurisdictions during joint security operations on the ground.
“The TNI and police always coordinate and synergise according to their respective duties and authorities, ensuring operations remain within the bounds of applicable law,” he said.
Street Robberies Rampant in West Jakarta
Street robberies have recently been reported to be rampant across several areas of Jakarta. West Jakarta has been highlighted as one region with a high incidence of street crime.
In response, the West Jakarta City Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimko) plans to install additional surveillance cameras at high-risk robbery locations.
“The first point is the provision of surveillance cameras at high-risk locations, which will be prepared independently, and we will also urge all entities in West Jakarta to enhance CCTV security in their respective areas, such as buildings, offices, business premises, and others,” said West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah in Jakarta on Friday (22 May).
Iin stated that her office will soon issue advisory letters to institutions and businesses in West Jakarta to install CCTV cameras.
“We will issue advisory letters as part of implementing directives from the Governor of Jakarta to strengthen security focus in the area,” Iin added.