State Must Not Lose

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

John Refra alias John Kei was presented during the release of the disclosure of a severe maltreatment case at Duri Kosambi, West Jakarta, as well as the destruction of houses and violence in Green Lake City, Tangerang City, at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Jakarta, Monday (22/6/2020). The incident left one person dead and three injured.

Thuggery came to light and became a hot topic again following violence allegedly involving two members of the Kei family – John and Nus. All agreed, the state must not lose to thugs.

Starting with a dispute in their homeland of Ambon, Maluku, the dispute between John and Nus continued in Bekasi and Jakarta. The violence between the siblings involving their respective followers in public places has disrupted people\' sense of security.

From the police investigation and the results of a pre-reconstruction of the crime, it is alleged that John had managed, directed and divided the tasks of its members in the violence, with Nus being the main target. One of Nus Kei\'s men was killed. Another Nus man and one security officer in the Green Lake City housing complex were injured.

Thuggery in big cities is not new in Indonesia. This phenomenon arises because of the need to ensure security, particularly by hiring unofficial security service providers. In order to guarantee the security of a “territory”, be it a piece of disputed land, unofficial parking lots, entertainment venues or various other forms of land, the landowner often hires certain groups.

This kind of competition sometimes triggers disputes, such as between the duo John and Nus Kei.

Of course, there are security fees. Also, it is normal for these thugs to fight over land or territory. This kind of competition sometimes triggers disputes, such as between the duo John and Nus Kei.

Thuggery has become increasingly difficult to eradicate because of a mutual need between groups of thugs, the community, the business world and even officials. The indication, once voiced out by criminologist Adrianus Meliala, in July 2005 (Kompas, 16/7/2005) seems to be still relevant today.

The nature of thuggery makes the public worry because it uses all means possible, very often by using violence. The use of violence often results in casualties or injuries both among gang members and also among the general public. In the case of John and Nus Kei dispute, a security officer was injured as well as an app-based motorcycle taxi driver.

The laws must be upheld regarding this incident to create a deterrent effect on the perpetrators. National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis has assured that he will not give room to thugs who make people uneasy and afraid.

The key is that the state must not lose to thugs.

The National Police, said Idham, will oversee cases involving John Kei and his group until the trial. "The key is that the state must not lose to thugs," Idham said, in his written statement on Monday (22/6/2020). (Kompas, 23/6).

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Residents thronged the entrance of the Australian cluster, Green Lake City Housing, Tangerang City, Banten, when a pre-construction of violence case by John Kei group was held on Wednesday (24/6/2020).

Idham\'s affirmation is a relief. It is normal for the National Police to guarantee that society is free from thugs. That is in line with Article 30 Paragraph 4 of the 1945 Constitution, which reads, "The police\'s duty is to maintain public security and order, protect the public from all threats and disturbances, defend the community and enforce the law".

We await the fulfillment of the police chief\'s promise. There are other factors outside of security matters that also trigger thuggery, such as unemployment. The National Police, as a law enforcement institution funded by the state, should naturally work harder for the eradication of this troubling thuggery