TNI Joins Police in Crackdown on Muggers

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The surge in mugging incidents has prompted authorities, including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), to announce plans to address the issue. Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that resolving criminal mugging cases was one of the reasons for establishing 750 new battalions across Indonesia. “I would like to briefly mention the benefits of territorial infantry development battalions. Before these battalions existed, districts had no military presence. What happened? Criminal muggers ran rampant,” Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said during a Commission I DPR meeting in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. “We have already begun joint patrols from the grassroots level. Units involved include territorial units like Koramil and Kodim, as well as combat battalions,” Iskak said at a press conference at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Friday, May 22, 2026. He explained that the deployment of personnel was part of Jakarta’s security support alongside the Mugging Hunters Team formed by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate. “The presence of law enforcement among the public is intended to provide a sense of security and demonstrate the state’s commitment to protecting citizens,” he added. Meanwhile, the police retain full authority in law enforcement. The Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate established the Mugging Hunters Team. Team members will conduct 24-hour patrols armed during operations. “From these investigations, 173 suspects have been apprehended,” said Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Affairs for Jakarta Metropolitan Police, at the same press conference on Friday. Several suspects were reportedly shot in the leg for resisting arrest or attempting to flee during police operations. “Firm and measured actions have been taken based on considerations for public and officer safety,” said Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, Director of Criminal Investigation for Jakarta Metropolitan Police, during the same event.