DPR Values TNI Can Participate in Combating Begal, but There are Conditions

Illustration of the apple of the TNI member (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives, Dave Laksono, assessed that the involvement of the TNI in helping to handle criminal acts of robbery could be carried out through a mechanism of assistance if the National Police needed additional support to maintain the stability and security of the community.

According to Dave, the involvement of the TNI must be carried out in a measured manner, have a clear legal basis, and be adjusted to the needs on the ground. In addition, inter-agency coordination must also remain the priority so that the implementation of tasks runs according to the respective authorities.

"The most important thing for people today is the presence of a real state," said Dave Thursday, May 28.

Dave emphasized that the safety and security of the community were things that could not be negotiated. The state, he said, has an obligation to ensure that the community can carry out daily activities calmly without fear of criminal acts.

However, Dave assessed that the involvement of the TNI in handling begal must be viewed proportionally and still refer to the provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

According to him, the TNI in principle has the main task of the country's defense, while enforcing public security and order is the authority of the police. "Therefore, handling criminal acts such as begal is basically the authority of the police," he said.

However, Dave emphasized that law enforcement officers must be able to provide a sense of security to the community, including taking firm action against perpetrators of street crimes and ensuring that public spaces remain safe.

"We in Commission I of the DPR support the strengthening of inter-agency coordination to maintain national security and public order, while ensuring that all steps are taken in accordance with the legal corridor and the respective authorities," he said.

Previously, the Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, said the TNI's involvement in helping to eradicate the begal action in Jakarta was part of the military operation other than war (OMSP).

"In principle, the main task of law enforcement remains with the National Police. However, in the context of OMSP, the TNI also has the duty to assist local governments and assist the National Police in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations," said Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait last Tuesday.

Rico made the statement when responding to Kodam Jaya's move to deploy a combat battalion to help the National Police deal with the rampant acts of robbery in Jakarta.