Yusril Advises Against West Java Governor's Bounty for Street Criminals, Fearing Vigilantism

Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra has advised West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi against offering cash rewards for the capture of street criminals, cautioning that such a scheme could provoke vigilantism. “It is best not to hold a bounty like this because it will provoke the public,” Yusril said, expressing concern that people might take the law into their own hands. He warned that with the lure of a reward, individuals might arm themselves with machetes and clubs, potentially leading to innocent people being victimised after being falsely accused of being perpetrators.

Similar criticism was previously voiced by Amnesty International Indonesia. Executive Director Usman Hamid stated that the bounty risks legitimising vigilante actions. He urged the Governor and the West Java Police Chief to focus on their duties, such as increasing patrols, installing integrated CCTV, improving lighting in crime-prone areas, speeding up responses to reports, and thoroughly investigating networks of stolen goods receivers. Hamid noted that street crime often involves sharp weapons and claims lives, including those of police officers, and that involving untrained civilians poses a significant risk.

Governor Dedi Mulyadi explained that the bounty was intended as a trigger to encourage active community participation in maintaining security, not to promote vigilante justice. He stressed that the reward, ranging from IDR 5 million to IDR 50 million, would only be given under strict conditions: the perpetrator must be handed over to the police alive and subsequently named a suspect by law enforcement. West Java Police Chief Inspector General Pipit Rismanto welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a motivator for citizens to help maintain public order and security.