Chronology Of Malaysia's Tourist Extortion Case In DWP 2024, Police Accused Of Being Involved

The 2024 DWP music performance in Jakarta (doc. Djakarta Warehouse Project)

JAKARTA - The case of extortion of tourists that occurred at the 2024 Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) at JIExpo, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, went viral on social media. Several tourists from Malaysia claimed to have been blackmailed by police officers while watching the concert which took place from December 13 to 15, 2024.

The tourists claim that they were arrested by plainclothes police and forced to take urine tests. They were also forced to pay RM 9 million (equivalent to Rp 32 million) to be released. This case came into the spotlight after the victims shared their experiences on social media with the hashtag # BoycottDjakartaWarehouseProject, which later went viral.

One Malaysian tourist who was the victim of extortion told that the incident occurred during DJ Steve Aoki's appearance. In the midst of the enthusiasm of the audience who was enjoying music, the police in free clothes suddenly attracted spectators from Malaysia one by one to be examined. They were asked to undergo a urine test and their passports were confiscated.

"This is really a very bad experience. While I was enjoying the show, the police suddenly came and started arresting the people around me," the victim wrote on social media. "How can the police arrest and bring people for no apparent reason? I know this event is held in the jurisdiction of the Central Jakarta Police," he added.

On another social media account, another Malaysian tourist admitted that the undercover police observed them for 15 minutes before it was finally revealed. Despite the negative urine test results, some tourists are still asked for very high amounts of money.

"They asked for very high bribes, ranging from 90,000 Malaysian ringgit (around Rp. 315 million) to 200,000 Malaysian ringgit (around Rp. 700 million)," wrote one tourist.

Police Denies Extortion

After this case went viral, the police spoke up and denied his involvement in the extortion. The Head of Drugs at the Central Jakarta Metro Police, Kompol Jamalinus Nababan, said that the police were present at the 2024 DWP event just to secure the event and were not involved in extortion.

"As far as we are concerned, we are not monitoring events as reported, such as arrests, burglary, and urine tests," said Jamalinus.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Ade Ary Syam Indradi, said that his party was investigating information regarding police officers suspected of being involved in extortion of Malaysian tourists at the 2024 DWP event.

"Polda Metro Jaya is conducting an in-depth investigation by Bid Propam regarding this information," said Ade Ary. He emphasized that his party would take firm action against anyone involved in criminal acts, both civilians and members of the police.

"Polda Metro Jaya will not be indiscriminate with anyone who does it and will process it in accordance with the laws and regulations that apply proportionally and professionally," he said.