Thuggery action that just had eased in Tanah Abang Market area, Central Jakarta, is recently resurfaced again. Allegedly, lack of oversight of the security forces has made the thugs back ruling the largest textile market in Southeast Asia. No wonder, the emergence of these thugs makes visitors and traders restless to trade in that market. Responding that, Jakarta will take decisive action.

We are still patrolling in that area. We have not acted yet because there are no reports came in

“It is easy to combat thuggery. But, do not leave it after the combat because for sure they (the thugs) would come back again,” said Jakarta Police Public Relations Division Chief Sr. Comr. Rikwanto, Tuesday (5/27).

According to Rikwanto, the police have been routinely guarding Tanah Abang Market. However, he claimed have not received official reports from people who become the victims of thuggery actions, so his men cannot take any action yet.

“ We are still patrolling in that area. We have not acted yet because there are no reports came in . To take action, besides report, there should be also strong evidence against the thug’s behavior, such as blackmailing, damaging, et cetera,” he explained.

Rikwanto uttered that thuggery action is closely related to illegal economic centers. Thugs exist when the officers do not care about the scope of their duties, especially at regional level in where the thugs will appear.

“As in areas where there are many stalls, motorcycle-taxi bases, illegal parking, and street vendors,” he told.

Thugs exploit that kind of situation for personal as well as group gain. To handle this problem, Jakarta Police will coordinate again with Jakarta Provincial Government to re-clean the Tanah Abang Market.

“We will communicate again to control it (thuggery action). It (Tanah Abang Market area) is now chaotic again,” disclosed Rikwanto.