Transformation Of Ormas: From Social Goals To Thugs

Photo by Luthfiah VOI

JAKARTA - The Community Organization (ormas) was actually born as an extension of the people's hands in voicing the aspirations of certain social, religious, cultural, or local interests. In the framework of democracy, the existence of mass organizations is part of the freedom of association that is protected by the constitution, there are even mass organizations from the extension of certain parties or underbows. In DKI itself there are a number of mass organizations and most recently there is the GRIB (United Indonesian People's Movement) Jaya.

But over time, especially when power and influence began to increase, several mass organizations experienced orientation changes. Access to mass power makes some of them tools used for intimidation, extortion, and acts of violence in the name of morals, identity, or social control'.

However, in the last two decades, some mass organizations have experienced a worrying distortion of their goals: from a social platform to a means of pressure, even perpetrators of thuggery. Because it leads to income or becomes a means of life-dependent or to revive organizations, by controlling parking locations, controlling areas of street vendors, factory locations, to crowded places, and night entertainment. This control is often a struggle to disrupt public order.

Looking at the recent journey of mass organizations, the development was very aggressive, along with the appearance of the Gerindra party as the winner of the election and the power holder was not directly recognized as the underbow of the Gerindra party. However, Grib Jaya (The Extension of the United Indonesia People's Movement (GRIB) Jaya could not be separated from the figure of Rosario de Marshall alias Hercules as the founder, the former ruler of Tanah Abang Market.

The chairman of GRID Jaya, Hercules Rosario de Marshal, after meeting Jokowi at his private residence in Solo, Central Java, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

Their roles and claims have been close to the Gerindra party or Prabowo since the 2009 presidential election they supported Gerindra. According to Herkules, whose goal was openly the establishment of Grib to mobilize its network to gain grassroots political support, especially for Prabowo Subianto.

Social Missions and Community Concerns

Most mass organizations stand with good intentions. They appear to help the community in various aspects from social advocacy, religious counseling, economic empowerment of citizens, to disaster management. Ormas are also often present as protectors of the weak and bridge between the small people and state institutions.

But over time, especially when power and influence began to increase, several mass organizations experienced orientation changes. Access to mass power makes some of them tools used for intimidation, extortion, and acts of violence in the name of morals, identity, or social control'.

From Advocacy To Intimidation

This negative transformation began to appear clear when a number of mass organizations no longer run social programs, but are actually active in intimidating practices. Some of the modus operandi that are rampant include.

Before forming the Ormas Grib, Hercules and his group had been involved in several legal cases, he even had 2 cases of dealing with the law related to extortion and money laundering cases, and the land grabbing case of PT Tjakra Multi Strategi. As well as the case of raiding the Indopos Daily office.

Illegal levies against business actors, both small traders and large companies. Mastering land illegally under the pretext of regional security or privileged rights'. Sweeping in certain entertainment venues or areas without legal authority. Intimidating residents or other groups by bringing symbols of religion, ethnicity, or nationalism.

This phenomenon makes the term 'premanism of mass organizations' more frequently heard. In fact, not a few people have started to equate them with organized criminal groups that use the legality of mass organizations as shields.

The drums of war were initially sourced by the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, who received a number of reports that many mass organizations were like thugs. Because it disturbs entrepreneurs in areas who often disturb entrepreneurs who are investing. Actions of mass organizations that are considered disturbing, for example, they often ask for rations during development activities, as well as when factories are operating. Such as levies for workers who want to record, process waste and levies for traders in the factory area.

Chairman of the Central Leadership Council (DPP) of the United Indonesia People's Movement (GRIB) Jaya, Hercules Rosario Marshal. (Photo: Rizky/VOI)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

So that his party complained about the presence of the number of mass organizations that disturbed investors, the impact of which disrupted the business climate in the West Java area. The complaint spread to national issues until the police finally took action, including forming an anti-terrorism Ormas Task Force, to arrest thuggery organizations.

Factors That Fertilize Ormas Thugs

There are several factors that strengthen this transformation: Lack of government supervision, both in terms of administration and field activities. Closeness to political elites, which often make mass organizations a mobilization tool for mass or interest guards.

Weak law enforcement, especially when officials are reluctant to act because they are worried about being accused of being anti-people or anti-religious. The absence of transparency and accountability in the organizational structure of mass organizations. Not only coloring the unrest, but the community also creates competition between mass organizations and other mass organizations, because they are fighting for influence and claims of control.

Not infrequently the appearance of mass organizations in the community creates friction, about fighting over stalls, fighting over risk, and influence. Recently, the Pancasila Youth Organization and the Grib Jaya group clashed. The feud in Tangerang is like a further feud between the previous feud that occurred in Blora, Central Java.

People And Countries Start Fighting

In recent months, there has been a shift in public opinion. People who were originally passive or afraid are now starting to loudly reject the presence of mass organizations that act like thugs. In many areas, residents reject the presence of disturbing mass organizations, and even report them to the authorities.

The government began to act. The dissolution of mass organizations by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the revocation of permits by the police began to be carried out on mass organizations that were proven to be deviant. However, this step is still sporadic and is not systematic.