TNI Commander Gives Green Light for Combat Battalions to Assist in Handling Begal Incidents

The Chief of the TNI Public Affairs Office (Kapuspen), Brigadier General Muhammad Nas, stated that TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto has given the ‘green light’ for military personnel to address begal incidents. It is known that the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) has formed a special task force to hunt down begal perpetrators in the Jabodetabek area.

“There is no specific instruction from the TNI commander for anti-begal operations, but the approval for TNI personnel to participate is based on the principle that their presence on the ground is part of supporting the police,” Nas said during a confirmation in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/5/2026).

According to Nas, the TNI will not be directly involved in arrests, legal enforcement, or suspect examinations. Their role, he added, is solely to assist the police in ensuring public safety from begal activities.

To prevent overlapping duties between the TNI and police on the ground, Nas assured enhanced coordination with the police to maximise the handling of begal incidents.

“The TNI and police always coordinate and synergise according to their respective roles and authorities, ensuring operations proceed within the legal framework,” he said.

Begal incidents have recently increased in several regions, including Jakarta, with frequent occurrences in areas such as West Jakarta.

The West Jakarta City Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimko) plans to install surveillance cameras (CCTV) at various vulnerable points following the rise in begal cases in the area.

“The first point is the provision of CCTV at vulnerable points will be prepared independently, or we will urge all entities in West Jakarta to enhance CCTV security in their respective areas, such as buildings, offices, and business premises,” said West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah in Jakarta on Friday (22/5/2026).

The office will also issue an official advisory letter to institutions and businesses in West Jakarta regarding CCTV installation.

“We will issue the advisory letter as an implementation of the instructions from the Governor of DKI Jakarta Province to strengthen security focus in the region,” Mutmainnah added.