TNI Guards Transjakarta Bus After Sexual Harassment Case, Observer: Security Guard Not Enough?

Security forces in the TNI uniform maintain the activities of Transjakarta buses. (doc. Transjakarta)

JAKARTA - Executive Director of the Institute for Security & Strategic Studies (ISSES) Khairul Fahmi questioned the urgency of the involvement of the TNI apparatus in maintaining security on Transjakarta buses. The TNI's involvement was due to the sexual harassment incident some time ago.

Khairul considered this condition to be ironic because it was no longer common for TNI personnel to be involved in guarding and overseeing post-reformed community activities whose functions had shifted to the Police.

"The assignment of TNI personnel to prevent sexual harassment and other crimes on the bus on the one hand can indeed bring peace and comfort to the public using public transportation. However, on the other hand, this is an irony and raises questions. Wasn't there previously a security guard involved? Isn't that enough?" said Khairul when contacted, Thursday, March 2.

In fact, continued Fahmi, the TNI has a function like an army to secure the country from enemy threats and divisions.

According to him, participating in the military to maintain public transportation activities is the last scenario if other officers such as Satpol PP or Polri are deemed incapable or fail to carry out their duties properly in maintaining security and order in public spaces.

"Whether it is due to the inability of the National Police and Satpol PP, is it due to the limited number of personnel, or is it because the TNI really asking to be involved? I think policy makers in DKI should provide a decent explanation to the public," he said.

Previously, the Head of the Transjakarta Corporate Secretary Division, Apriastini Bakti Bugiansri, said that the TNI apparatus who were alerted to the bus and the bus stop was BUMD's effort to minimize harassment.

"Prespective officers and security officers in uniform on Transjakarta buses who have been on guard at stops, we are currently diverting to guard the Transjakarta service buses to prevent criminal acts, especially cases of predatory sex," said Apri.

The placement of TNI officers in Transjakarta buses is carried out mobile or alternating from one bus to another. In addition to the placement of security officers, Transjakarta has also tried to expand the operation of the pink bus fleet specifically for women.

"We hope that acts of sexual predators can be suppressed by the efforts we make. We also urge female customers not to worry about using Transjakarta services," said Apri.

Recently, two cases of sexual harassment have occurred again within the Transjakarta fleet. A woman with the initials H admitted to being a victim of sexual harassment on a Transjakarta bus on the Monas-Pulogadung route on Monday, February 20, 2023.

The perpetrator has been arrested and detained by the police. The perpetrator greeted the casual daily officer (PHL) of the Tambora Police Post (Pospol).

The sexual harassment of female Transjakarta bus passengers has occurred again in a series of non-BRT bus fleets on the Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang route via Cikini, Saturday, February 25.

The victim is known to be a minor. Now, the perpetrator has been led to the Central Jakarta Metro Police.