Three more lives were lost in another violent brawl in Depok, West Java, this month. The brawl was believed to have involved youths under 20 years old.
As Kompas reported on Monday (22/10/2018), the fatal student brawl was the latest in a string of similar incidents in Depok and other areas within Greater Jakarta. Kompas’ records show that between July and September, at least three lives were lost in five brawls across Greater Jakarta, comprising the capital city and Bogor, Tangerang, Depok and Bekasi.
Fatal brawls are causes for deep concern. It breaks our hearts even more when we find out that the victims were so young. In the Depok incident, the three fatalities were aged between 14 and 20. In previous incidents, the fatalities ranged between 15 and 17. Those who took these lives were also of a similar age range. This is truly depressing.
In Indonesia, many youths prone to become involved in violent brawls. Many have lost their lives or taken the lives of others. Data from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) shows that 202 student brawls occurred across the country in the last two years. Some of these brawls involved sharp weapons and also caused deaths. Local residents are often afraid to break up these brawls. as they fear becoming injured in the chaos.
The government, law enforcement and the general public, especially parents and teachers, have strived to end such violence among youths through a variety of programs and approaches, including enforcing the law. However, violent outbreaks, including student brawls, have yet to cease. In certain cases, such violent acts are “institutionalized” by school seniors as part of “school tradition”.
Our difficulty in ceasing violence among youths has reminded us of Indonesian characteristics as portrayed by senior journalist Mochtar Lubis, who once said that among Indonesian traits are our brutality and proneness to running amok, killing, betrayal, burning bridges and holding grudges.
Such characteristics can be found not only among our youths, but also among our adults. We often witness brawls or other acts of violence involving adults. In a sense, this means that parents’ positive behavior, including applying self-restraint against running amok and being provoked, seeking peace and a will to collaborate can serve as models for youths.
It will not be easy to uphold the law against violent youths. Law No. 23/2002 on Child Protection considers those involved in brawls as victims of miseducation. Violent youths must be protected, guided and educated. Many become involved in acts of violence, such as brawls, as a result of external factors.
Apart from parents’ exemplary behavior, youth violence can be ended by continuously raising their awareness on the dangers of such acts. Apart from taking lives, brawls can also trigger social conflicts that can harm society. Brawls are truly a lose-lose situation.
