Vigilantism Reflects a State of Legal and Justice Emergency, Says Lawmaker

House of Representatives Commission III member Nasir Djamil has stated that the rise in vigilante actions in various regions reflects a persistently low level of legal culture and public awareness. He added that this condition is also triggered by low public trust in the law enforcement process. According to Nasir, many people still believe that reporting a case to law enforcement officers takes a long time and does not necessarily result in justice. Consequently, some choose to resolve matters instantly through confinement or physical violence. “The public’s legal culture and awareness remain low. It is possible that some people still think dealing with law enforcement will take a long time and may not be processed as expected. Vigilante actions, ranging from confinement to physical violence, are more about wanting an instant resolution,” Nasir said when contacted on Tuesday. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) politician stressed that oversight of law enforcement must not be carried out sporadically or merely as a ceremonial act. He argued that oversight must be built institutionally, systematically, and measurably to restore public trust in law enforcement institutions. Nasir also assessed that a culture of legal compliance must be built through the exemplary conduct of state officials, especially law enforcement officers. He noted that the public will find it difficult to trust the law if officers cannot demonstrate integrity in carrying out their duties. “Vigilante actions and violence committed by the public occur because they do not believe the law can deliver justice. Indonesia is currently in a state of legal and justice emergency. Therefore, the mental revolution must not merely be lip service,” he said. Furthermore, Nasir reminded that the new Criminal Code has accommodated the concept of social punishment as part of the reform of the sentencing system. This approach aims to restore the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim by involving the community. “It is time for social punishment and a restorative justice approach to be prioritised so that the restoration of social relations between the perpetrator, victim, and community can proceed well,” he concluded.