TNI to Deploy Combat Battalion to Tackle Muggings, Civil Society Coalition Calls Move Excessive

A civil society coalition for security sector reform has criticised the Jakarta Military Command’s plan to deploy a combat battalion to tackle street muggings. The coalition views the move as misguided and excessive.

The coalition argues the plan blurs the lines between defence and security functions in Indonesia. It believes involving the military in civilian criminal cases contradicts reform principles and risks fostering a repressive approach.

“In recent times, the military’s expanding role in civilian affairs has worsened in handling Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), being excessive and disproportionate,” said coalition representative Ardi Manto Adiputra on Tuesday (26 May 2026).

The coalition laments the militaristic approach to addressing civilian and criminal issues. Post-1998 security sector reforms were established to end military dominance in civilian spaces and ensure the TNI focuses on national defence.

“When street muggings, terrorism, social conflicts, and domestic security issues are consistently addressed through military deployment, the country is regressing from reformist ideals and demonstrating a failure to strengthen civilian institutions that should be the primary enforcers of law and public security,” said Ardi.

Ardi stressed that the TNI is a national defence tool designed to counter external armed threats and war. Therefore, it should not handle general criminal activities among the public. He urged that street muggings fall under the responsibility of the police and local governments.

“When the state chooses to deploy combat battalions to tackle street crime, it is displaying an over-reactive attitude and failing to distinguish between defence threats and public security issues,” Ardi said.

Ardi warned that using military approaches to address civilian criminality is dangerous, as it normalises militarism in society.

“Rather than strengthening civilian institutions, the state is resorting to wartime logic to resolve legal issues. This practice was one of the fundamental problems corrected by the 1998 reform agenda, which aimed to return the TNI to defence duties and place public security under civilian authority,” Ardi said.

Previously, the Jakarta Military Command stated it is assisting in pursuing muggings prevalent in Jakarta and surrounding areas. Kodam Jaya’s Public Affairs Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Arh Noor Iskak, said the command has deployed personnel, including from combat battalions, to support police patrols.