Imitating Bali's Local Wisdom To Reject Troubled Ormas

Photo by Luthfiah VOI

The government has taken firm steps to maintain national stability and investment climate by forming an Integrated Task Force for the Handling of Thugs and Community Organizations (Ormas) consisting of cross-institutions such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Attorney General's Office, TNI, Polri, BIN, and BSSN.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan revealed that the formation of the Anti-Premanism Task Force aims to provide legal certainty on issues of mass organizations that often disturb and intimidate business actors.

"The government will not hesitate in taking firm action against all forms of thuggery and activities of mass organizations that disturb the community and have the potential to interfere with investment and business activities," he said.

The establishment of the Anti-Premanism Task Force was followed up by the National Police by holding simultaneous police operations since May 1, 2025 to eradicate thuggery practices which were considered increasingly troubling and disrupting the national business and security climate. The Head of Public Information Bureau of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, emphasized that this operation reflected the Police's commitment to supporting economic growth and maintaining order.

"Premanism in any form that disturbs public order and the business climate will be dealt with firmly. This is part of efforts to create a sense of security and legal certainty, especially for business actors in Indonesia," he said.

Trunoyudo explained that the types of crimes that became the focus of this operation included extortion, illegal levies, threats, intimidation, beatings, and persecution carried out by individuals and groups. The National Police, he said, will also synergize with the TNI, local governments, and other stakeholders for the implementation of this operation throughout Indonesia.

However, the formation of the UI Anti-Premanism Task Force is considered a criminologist, Arthur Josias Simon Runturambi, as a short-term and partial solution from the government. In addition, it is unclear that the definition of thuggery used in this policy is prone to repressive use of critical groups. Therefore, he encourages independent supervision, including through civil public technology and involvement, as well as the need for social, economic and cultural intervention to handle the source of the problem as a whole.

(Satgas) This is a short-term solution. If structural causes such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality are not touched, thuggery will continue to emerge in new forms," said Arthur.

Because he is considered only short-term and partial, he doubts the effectiveness of the formation of the Anti-Premanism Task Force. Because usually, approaches like this tend to be ceremonial and do not target the root of the problem. According to Arthur, the legal approach is not enough if so that symptoms of disturbances in public security and order are not handled firmly first.

'Problems also arise because there is no healthy political route from mass organizations to political parties. Many mass organizations end up acting up because they don't have aspiration channels. Political parties prefer to take artists, retired officials, Kadin businessmen, officials' children or campus people rather than mass organizations activists. That's why mass organizations seem to be stuck and then act up," he added.

In the RDPU with Commission III of the DPR RI, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, representatives of the Anti Thug Law Enforcement Advocate Team (Tumpas), Appe Hutauruk suspect that the government often uses thuggery forces to silence critics. According to him, thuggery practices are not only related to bullying and extortion, but also include actions that hinder freedom of worship and express opinions.

"We see that the government also likes to use thuggery services when there are groups that criticize government policies. This is also a form of thuggery," he said.

He explained that thuggery has three characteristics, namely branded thugs or those in power structures, uniformed thugs or those in official institutions, and coordinated thugs without formal structure but still systematically controlled.

Local Governments Must Dare To Reject The Existence Of Troubled Ormas

The National Police Chief's Expert Advisor, Aryanto Sutadi, revealed that acts of thuggery wrapped in attributes of mass organizations are increasingly growing because of neglect from the public and law enforcement officials. If left unchecked, they will be even more courageous. However, if operated continuously, it will also run out," he said in a broadcast on the YouTube channel.

He reminded. The handling of thuggery cannot only be seasonal but there must be consistent and comprehensive steps, including rapid and transparent proof of the law. He gave an example, the land case belonging to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) occupied by the mass organization of the United Indonesia People's Movement (GRIB) Jaya, became a tangible form of thuggery and abuse of symbols of mass organizations.

"When viewed from his actions, this is clearly an act of thuggery. Just look at how they damaged the fence, replaced the land ownership sign, and even raised ownership claims that were installed with frills under the supervision of advocates, as if they wanted to give legitimacy," said Aryanto.

Aryanto Sutadi's opinion regarding the omission from the public or government to thuggery under the guise of mass organizations could be true. Perhaps, other regions can imitate how local wisdom in Bali is able to reject the existence of GRIB Jaya. Pecalang, which is a local wisdom-based security system in Bali, firmly rejects the presence of GRIB Jaya on the Island of the Gods. Deputy Governor of Bali, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, stated that Bali already has pecalang, TNI, and Polri to maintain security, so that the presence of foreign organizations is not necessary.

Pecalang has guarded Bali's security, which is part of a traditional system that has been inherited from generation to generation and has proven to be effective in maintaining order in Bali. The presence of mass organizations from outside can interfere with the order of life of the Balinese people which has been guarded by traditional and cultural systems, where Bali has more than 1,500 traditional villages, each with its own pecalang unit," he explained.

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster also emphasized that the Bali National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) would not issue a registered certificate (SKT) for GRIB Jaya. According to him, the Bali Provincial Government has the authority to reject the existence of mass organizations that are considered to be disturbing order and security in the community.

"If GRIB Jaya registers at Kesbangpol, it will not be accepted, the local government has the right to refuse," he added.

Trisakti University public policy observer Trubus Rahardiansyah agrees with the steps taken by the Bali Provincial Government. According to him, the existence of an organization in the region depends on the permit issued by Kesbangpol. Meanwhile, eradicating thuggery has become the authority of law enforcement officials.

"About mass organizations returning to their respective local governments, whether they dare or not to reject mass organizations that are considered disturbing the community. If it is related to thuggery, it has certainly become the domain of law enforcement officials to take action," he said.