West Jakarta dubbed 'Gotham City' as proposal to revoke KJP Plus for rioters

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Secretary of Commission E of the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD DKI) from the PSI faction, Justin Adrian Untayana, has proposed revoking the Kartu Jakarta Pintar (KJP) Plus for rioters in Jakarta who receive its benefits. The proposal follows a surge in criminal activity, leading to West Jakarta being dubbed ‘Gotham City’.

‘If the perpetrators are beneficiaries of KJP Plus, their cards must be revoked. Social assistance for families with members involved in such crimes should also be withdrawn,’ Justin said in a statement quoted by Kompas.com on Monday (25 May 2026).

‘This is necessary to deter others and set an example to prevent similar crimes,’ Justin added.

Justin stated that crime in Jakarta is not a new issue but a result of deeply rooted violent culture in society.

‘Crime in Jakarta is not new; it is a consequence of a deeply entrenched violent culture that endangers residents’ lives,’ he said.

He highlighted children exposed to violence from a young age through street fights, motorcycle gangs, illegal racing, and school bullying.

Therefore, Justin urged the Jakarta provincial government to stop being lenient towards perpetrators of violence and crime.

He also criticised current rehabilitation efforts for rioters as ineffective, as they are merely sent home with a stamped declaration.

‘Children involved in riots should no longer receive only rehabilitation before being released to their parents with a stamped declaration. This approach is clearly ineffective,’ he stressed.

Between January and April 2026, police solved 171 criminal cases in Jakarta, including 86 aggravated theft, 75 motor vehicle thefts, and 10 cases of theft with violence.