MEDAN, Indonesia: A spate of violent muggings by machete-wielding thieves in Indonesia has drawn coded calls from prominent politicians for them to be killed on sight by police.
The demand has been condemned by rights groups as validating extrajudicial murders. Last month, in the city of Medan in northern Sumatra, police shot and killed a “begal” – a term referring to particularly ruthless street thieves – as part of an alleged effort to eradicate such criminals.
Bobby Nasution, the mayor of Medan and President Joko Widodo’s son-in-law, praised the officers and advocated for the on-the-spot execution of such criminals.
“I appreciate this because criminals and begal have no place in Medan,” he wrote in an Instagram post on July 9, sharing footage of the suspect’s dead body.
President Widodo has not commented on statements marked by Nasution.
Human rights groups are demanding an inquiry into the killing and have criticized the rhetoric for endorsing vigilante-style justice by both the police and civilians.
“It is inappropriate for public officials to declare support for such extrajudicial actions,” Amnesty International Indonesia director Usman Hamid told AFP.
“The shooting violates not only fundamental human rights principles, such as the right to life and a fair trial but also official regulations.”
Indonesian police regulations dictate that firearms should only be used as a last resort by officers.
Indonesia’s Institute for Criminal Justice Reform called Nasution’s remarks as “irresponsible”.
Viral videos depicting begal attacks have led social media users to call for the execution of criminals or the imposition of the death penalty.
In an East Jakarta village, local leaders have offered a reward of 10 million rupiah ($662) for the capture of begals.
These criminals have brutally attacked victims using sickles, airguns, and rocks, creating fear among residents in the cities like Jakarta and Medan.
He further added, “Begal run away using the city labyrinth they have mastered.”
Medan, Indonesia’s fifth-largest city, has experienced 45 begal attacks since January, according to police reports. During this incident, a student named Insanul Anshori Hasibuan was riding a scooter when he was brutally attacked with a machete, stealing his wallet containing just 70,000 rupiah ($4.60).
Official data shows an increase in the robbery rate in 2023, although experts note that Indonesian crime statistics often suffer from incomplete reporting.
Human rights groups express concern that statements by influential figures like Mayor Nasution, advocating for immediate executions, could lead to disorder on the country’s streets.
“We are concerned that the statement by the mayor of Medan can serve as legitimacy for more extrajudicial killings,” said Hamid.
“This is very dangerous.”
