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Jakarta deploys troops against muggers, stirring dark memories

While residents of the Indonesian capital welcome tougher action against street crime, rights groups fear a return to authoritarian-era security crackdowns.

Published: 6:01pm, 2 Jun 2026Updated: 6:02pm, 2 Jun 2026

Jakarta residents have largely welcomed a new police-military campaign against violent street crime, after a wave of brazen motorbike muggings struck fear in Indonesia’s capital. However, activists warn that using soldiers for civilian law enforcement blurs a critical legal boundary, stirring dark memories of extrajudicial killings from Indonesia’s authoritarian past.

Jakarta deploys troops against muggers, stirring dark memories

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}While residents of the Indonesian capital welcome tougher action against street crime, rights groups fear a return to authoritarian-era security crackdowns.

While residents of the Indonesian capital welcome tougher action against street crime, rights groups fear a return to authoritarian-era security crackdowns.