To Curb Thuggery, Jakarta Legislator: Need Surveillance at High-Risk Points
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth has requested the DKI Provincial Government to strengthen surveillance in high-risk points, especially in the Tanah Abang area, to suppress incidents of thuggery.
“Satpol PP, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Transportation Department along with police apparatus must take action, conduct routine patrols, and penalise perpetrators to create a deterrent effect,” said Kenneth in Jakarta on Monday, in response to the resurgence of thuggery actions in Jakarta.
Kenneth expressed concern and strong condemnation over the extortion experienced by bajaj drivers in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta.
According to him, such illegal levy practices (pungli) severely harm small drivers who rely on daily earnings for their livelihood. He also assessed that this incident tarnishes the government’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the area.
“This clearly harms the little people and must not be tolerated. Tanah Abang is a strategic area, so it must be free from such dishonourable practices,” he stated.
To that end, Kenneth requested the DKI Provincial Government to collaborate with the Police to firmly penalise extortion perpetrators, as such actions fall under criminal offences.
He also asked Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP) to strengthen surveillance at high-risk points for illegal parking, particularly in the Tanah Abang area.
Kenneth further encouraged more intensive coordination between the DKI Jakarta Government, Police, and Satpol PP so that handling illegal levies can proceed effectively and sustainably.
He explained that parking management is not only about order but also concerns public safety and justice for Jakarta residents.
“We want bajaj drivers and the public to feel safe, with no more unclear pressures or levies. This is about siding with the little people,” he said.
Kenneth added that one cause of rampant illegal levies is the lack of a comprehensive and transparent parking system.
Therefore, he encouraged the implementation of an official cashless parking system across all strategic areas in DKI Jakarta, including Tanah Abang.
He assessed that a cashless system would record all transactions digitally, thereby minimising opportunities for rogue elements engaging in illegal parking or extortion practices.
“If we already use an official cashless parking system, everything will be easier to control and distinguish. Which is truly official, which is illegal, it can be immediately seen. There will be no more excuses for arbitrarily collecting money,” said the Jakarta DPRD Commission C member.