PMKS Control In Gambir, Scavengers Refuse To Be Arrested: I'm A Scavenger, Why Catch Me, Am I A Thief?

In every enforcement of the Regional Regulation on Public Order, officers from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol) often encounter obstacles when carrying out enforcement in the field.

As happened when the control took place on Gajah Mada Street, Gambir District, Central Jakarta. Although the Satpol PP is tasked with enforcing the Regional Regulation on Public Order, the Satpol PP's duties are often rejected and even resisted.

The refusal came from a man named Andi who refused when the officers were about to secure him.

Andi argued that he was not a Person with Social Welfare Problems (PMKS), who was often the target of police control. He also gave his identity card (KTP) to the Satpol PP.

"I'm a real scavenger, why catch me. Do you think I'm a thief, I am not a thief. I'm a scavenger," said the man, a resident of Depok, West Java, at the location, Friday, October 29, early in the morning.

Andi refused to be secured by officers because he was a scavenger who was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Andi, previously he was a mineral water drink trader in the Istiqlal Mosque area. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Andi's business went bankrupt.

"I used to trade at Istiqlal, went bankrupt because of the corona. Trade-in drinks, ask Istiqlal people who know everyone, (now) go bankrupt. I am only 6 months old because of COVID-19," Andi said in an annoyed tone.

Although he refused to be secured by officers, Andi admitted that he agreed with the order by the Satpol PP.

"The control is good, only (officers must) see which ones are fake, which ones are true," he said.

Then Andi only underwent the process of collecting his identity data without being secured to the Social Service car. This was done by the officers because Andi had proof of an ID card.

Furthermore, the Satpol PP officers gave Andi instructions so that he immediately returned home. The operation resumed and inspected several other locations.

"Tonight, routine activities are carried out by the Gambir sub-district Satpol PP to provide comfort for the community," Gambir Village Head Fauzi told VOI at the location, Friday, October 29, early in the morning.

Previously, it was reported that the joint forces of the TNI, Polri, Satpol PP, Dishub, and the Social Service held control of Persons with Social Welfare Problems (PKMS) along Hasyim Ashari Street, Gambir District, Central Jakarta.

Head of Central Jakarta Satpol PP Bernard Tambunan said tonight's activity was carried out with the three Gambir pillars.

"Tonight in the Gambir area, we are monitoring PMKS at several points where there have been complaints from the public regarding the increase in PMKS specifically in the Gambir area," he told VOI on the sidelines of the control.

The location of the search was along Hasyim Ashari Street in the direction of Roxy Mas and the direction of Harmoni, Gajah Mada Street, and Juanda Street.

"Later on, we will foster 19 people who have been caught in social institutions," he said.