Transitional PSBB Period, Citizens In Central Jakarta Brawl

Brawl on Jalan Haji Ung, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta (Photo: screenshot from Instagram Jakarta latest)

JAKARTA - The implementation of the large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) in the transitional period does not seem to apply to two groups of youth in Central Jakarta. Because, they actually did brawl.

The actions of these two groups were viral on social media. The clash took place at Jalan Haji Ung, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, June 10, at around 04.00 WIB. In the circulating video footage, the two groups are on average still in their teens. They equip themselves with blocks to attack each other.

Kemayoran police chief, Kompol Saiful Anwar, confirmed the clash. According to him, the incident was triggered by mutual ridicule between the two groups of teenagers. So, feeling unacceptable to being humiliated they decided to attack each other.

"They make fun of each other via social media. They have their own group," Saiful told VOI, Wednesday, June 10.

However, said Saiful, members in the field immediately disbanded the two youth groups after being involved in the clash. However, no one was arrested or secured in the clash.

"After obtaining information, the members immediately dismissed it. Nothing was secured," said Saiful.

Attention is still low and there are no firm sanctions

University of Indonesia crimininologist Adrianus Meliala said the clash occurred because their attention to the COVID-19 pandemic was still low. In addition, there are no corona patients in their neighborhood yet, so they move outside the home.

"It is possible that the two groups have not been affected by the outbreak and no one has tested positive yet," said Adrianus to VOI.

Then, another factor that causes brawl is still rampant because these teenagers do not have a long mindset. They are still concerned with the ego of each individual and group. Thus, they looked at everyone outside the group as enemies.

"Because of the strong perceptions of in-group and out-group between the two groups. The stronger the two, the greater the possibility of open conflict. This is because each considers the other party as an enemy," said Adrianus.

A criminal law observer at Al Azhar University Suparji Ahmad said, there were still many fights during the implementation of the PSBB during this pandemic, because there had not been any penalties that had a deterrent effect. So, teenagers are not afraid to repeat similar actions.

"The sanctions imposed on those concerned for the previous brawl have not caused a deterrent effect and educate them so that they are still brave enough to fight," Suparji said ending.