DPR Asks The State To Firmly Respond To Debt Collector Thugs: No Intimidation Spread To The People

Illustration of the DPR Building of the MPR Senayan Jakarta. (Between)

Member of Commission III DPR RI Martin Daniel Tumbelaka admitted that he was sad about the incident of beating a woman with the initials RP (31) by a debt collector group in front of a police station in Bukit Raya, Pekanbaru City, Riau. The reason is, there was no action by the authorities to protect the woman even though the incident occurred right in the police station yard.

According to him, acts of thuggery under the guise of debt collection services are also 'warning' for the government and law enforcement officials to be firm and not to intimidate the people. He emphasized that in a state of law, there is no reason to justify the use of violence in debt collection.

"This is strange. The state should not lose by forms of violence that are legitimized by business matters or debts," said Martin, Wednesday, April 23.

Martin assessed that the practice of brutal and arbitrary debt collection has hurt the principles of justice and public security. He asked the state to be present to address this many problems.

"We at Commission III of the DPR consider that this case is not just an ordinary criminal offense. This reflects the weakness of supervision and inconsistency in controlling the practice of debt collectors that violate the law," said Martin.

As is known, there is a lot of video on social media showing a woman who is said to be the victim of the beating of 11 debt collectors. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, April 19, evening.

Unfortunately, this incident occurred in front of the Bukit Raya Police Station, Pekanbaru City. The victim did not receive assistance because the officers were said to be outnumbered with the perpetrators. Even some police personnel on guard were caught recording the incident.

In this context, Martin also encourages the government and law enforcement officials to take appropriate legal steps and regulations. For example, maximal enforcement of criminal law against perpetrators of violence.

"It is not enough with mediation or warnings. Perpetrators must be charged with criminal articles, including acts of persecution and destruction, and subject to appropriate punishment," said Martin.

In addition, it could also be with an explicit revision or issuance of regulations prohibiting the detention of personal goods and physical violence by debt collectors. Martin said this provision must be described in detail in the Ministerial Regulation, even if necessary with Government Regulations so that there is no loophole for legal justification for violence in the collection process.

"The Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Human Rights together with OJK and the Police must draw up special legal protocols related to collection practices by third parties. Including administrative and criminal sanctions mechanisms for finance companies in collaboration with debt collectors who violate the law," said the legislator from the North Sulawesi electoral district.

Martin also requested that the protection of the complainant and victim must be guaranteed by law enforcement officials.

"There should be no omission against intimidation or threats made by the perpetrators against the people, including victims who seek justice. There needs to be firmness from the state and law enforcement officials, the people must be safe," said Martin.

On the other hand, this member of the House of Representatives Commission in charge of law enforcement matters assesses that the National Police as the highest law enforcement institution in the field must strengthen its presence and respond quickly to situations involving public violence. Moreover, said Martin, events that occurred around the police area themselves.

"The principle of legal protection must be fair to all citizens, without exception, including those who are caught in debt problems. Do not let the people lose confidence in the law because they feel they do not receive protection," he said.

"This case must be a momentum to emphasize that the law is the protector of the community, not a tool of justification of power or intimidation," concluded Martin.