A wave of street robberies, known locally as begal, has surged significantly across Indonesia, particularly in the capital, Jakarta. This rise in criminal activity has dominated mainstream news cycles and flooded various social media platforms, drawing intense scrutiny from security experts and public policy researchers.
Between April and mid-May 2026, viral CCTV footage of these robberies fueled public anxiety, leading to the emergence of the trending tagline: “Jakarta is in a state of emergency against begal.” According to Ika Idris, a public policy and social media researcher at Monash University, this narrative has triggered widespread fear, a phenomenon she attributes to the “amplification of information” by both traditional media and law enforcement agencies.
The official response has been swift. Both the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) have declared a serious commitment to combating these crimes. The Polda Metro Jaya (Jakarta Metropolitan Police) established a specialized Anti-Begal Task Force, while calls for a “shoot-on-sight” policy have gained traction. Meanwhile, the military has indicated that newly inaugurated territorial battalions could be deployed to maintain public order.
From Jakarta to Makassar: A Pattern of Violence
The geography of these incidents spans well beyond the capital. In mid-April 2026, a group of firefighters in Central Jakarta was attacked by robbers, leading to five arrests. Similar incidents occurred in North Jakarta and West Jakarta, where perpetrators were found with machetes and cleavers, and in some cases, recidivist offenders were identified. The violence has also struck Lampung, Bandung, and Makassar, with victims ranging from police officers to a 13-year-old child who suffered severe wounds.
However, not all reported cases have been confirmed. In one instance in West Jakarta, rumors of an influencer being attacked circulated widely, only for police investigations to conclude that the incident was not a criminal act.
“I Have Ordered Robbers to be Shot on Sight”
The formation of the Anti-Begal Task Force has been central to the police strategy. Commissioner Iman Imanuddin of Polda Metro Jaya stated that the team is “ready to act 24 hours a day” to secure vulnerable locations. Police officials suggest that most perpetrators are acting independently, driven by economic pressures or drug dependency.
The rhetoric has escalated to include lethal force. Lampung Police Chief, Inspector General Helfi Assegaf, publicly stated, “There is no tolerance for robbers. I have ordered them to be shot on sight,” following an incident where one of his officers was killed by assailants. Supporting this hardline stance, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin emphasized that new territorial battalions would assist in patrolling and reducing criminality, arguing that the presence of military bases effectively discourages street crime.
This aggressive approach has received mixed reactions. Ahmad Sahroni, Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III, fully supports the “shoot-on-sight” policy as a necessary measure to ensure public safety. Conversely, Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai firmly rejects the policy, arguing that it violates constitutional law and human rights principles. “Criminals must be captured alive to be processed through the legal system,” Pigai stated, emphasizing that suspects are vital sources of evidence and information.
Legal Concerns and the Role of the Military
Legal experts have raised alarms regarding the involvement of the military in domestic law enforcement. Alif Fauzi Nurwidiastomo, a public defender at LBH Jakarta, argues that TNI involvement in policing is inconsistent with existing laws. “Indonesian law stipulates that law enforcement in civil spaces is the sole purview of the National Police or authorized civil investigators,” he asserted. Furthermore, criminologist Lucky Nurhadiyanto from Universitas Budi Luhur believes the government’s response remains too reactive. He advocates for “predictive policing”—utilizing data to map crime hotspots rather than waiting for reports to be filed.
Polisi “Riding the Wave” of Public Panic
Ika Idris observes that the “begal emergency” narrative has been heavily shaped by digital amplification. After analyzing thousands of social media posts, she notes that the police announcement of the Anti-Begal Task Force acted as a “gravitational center” for the narrative. “The condition [of street crime] may be real, but the police are riding the wave,” Idris noted. By positioning themselves as the primary responders to a public crisis, the police effectively dominate the information flow, often overshadowing civil society’s calls for caution.
The Legacy of the 2018 “Pekat” Operation
The current climate evokes memories of the 2018 Operasi Pekat (Society Disease Eradication Operation) launched ahead of the 2018 Asian Games. During that period, aggressive policing led to the deaths of dozens of suspects, many of which were criticized by organizations like Amnesty International Indonesia and YLBHI as extrajudicial killings. Critics argue that the current discourse surrounding the Anti-Begal Task Force echoes this past, where “tough” policies often lacked proper accountability and violated internal police regulations regarding the use of force.
As the debate continues, experts urge the authorities to focus on the root causes of crime, such as socioeconomic welfare and public infrastructure improvements, rather than relying solely on force. Without a shift toward holistic and preventative strategies, there is a lingering fear that the pursuit of safety could come at the cost of human rights and legal due process.
Summary
Indonesia is currently facing a significant surge in street robberies, locally known as “begal,” particularly in Jakarta, which has generated widespread public anxiety and calls for a state of emergency. In response, the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has formed a specialized Anti-Begal Task Force, and some police officials have declared a “shoot-on-sight” policy for robbers. The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) has also indicated potential deployment to help maintain public order against these criminal activities.
This aggressive approach has sparked considerable debate, with human rights advocates and legal experts condemning the “shoot-on-sight” policy as a violation of constitutional law and human rights. There are also concerns about the military’s involvement in civilian law enforcement and the reactive nature of the current government strategy. Critics highlight parallels to the 2018 “Operasi Pekat,” which led to alleged extrajudicial killings, urging authorities to focus on addressing the root causes of crime instead of solely relying on force.