Authorities in Bekasi have apprehended a man who claimed to be the self-proclaimed 'Jagoan Cikiwul', a local thug who threatened businesses in the area.
On Thursday evening, March 20, 2025, S was captured by the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Metro Bekasi City Police after inciting fear among local businesses in Sukabumi. Kompol Binsar Hatorangan Sianturi, head of criminal investigation at the police station, provided details, stating, “We secured him yesterday at 18:30 in the Sukabumi area, and the case is currently under investigation.” According to Sianturi, S's actions included demanding a yearly 'THR' or holiday bonus from companies, a practice not uncommon among local thugs posing as community organization members.
The saga began earlier in the week when video footage surfaced on social media, showing S demanding the THR amount from workers at a company in Bekasi. On March 17, 2025, around 11:00 AM, S, along with three accomplices, approached a company in the Cikiwul neighborhood. The security guard on duty attempted to offer him Rp20,000 from his own pocket, but S, a physically imposing figure, refused the offer. Instead, he insisted on meeting with the company’s management directly. In conversations captured on video, S expressed his readiness to cause disruptions, threatening to block access to the road if his demands weren't met.
“I don’t want your money; I want your boss to come here,” he proclaimed in an intimidating tone. This exchange was representative of a larger pattern of extortion troubles facing local businesses, with S’s threats rooted in a tradition of unnamed individuals coercing companies for informal holiday bonuses each year.
“This practice happens every year, and he’s just one of many who think they can circumvent the rules by acting as representatives of community organizations,” explained Kompol Sukadi, head of the Bantargebang police station. “He’s a thug disguised as a community organization member.” Sukadi elaborated that after the incident made headlines, S fled to Gunung Putri in Bogor Regency, prompting the police to launch a broader investigation into similar activities. “We have taken statements from the company and are monitoring the situation to discern if what he did constitutes a criminal offense,” Sukadi said, indicating that this form of extortion is often seen around major holidays like Eid al-Fitr.
As police investigations progress, the local authorities are taking steps to address the pervasive issue of street thuggery cloaked in the guise of community organizations. The police are urging the public to report such instances promptly. “We want to build awareness that such threats are illegal, and the community should not feel intimidated by these so-called thugs,” a police representative stated.
Law enforcement officials are also coordinating with local business owners to foster a safer operating environment and ensure that thuggery is reported immediately, without fear of repercussions. “The community must feel empowered to act against these unlawful practices,” emphasized Sianturi, reiterating the need for vigilance and cooperation.
As the investigation into S's activities unfolds, it has drawn public interest and underscores how local businesses often confront the threat of extortion, especially amid forthcoming holiday celebrations. The police are focused on ensuring that such threats do not go unchecked and that culprits face appropriate legal consequences, signaling a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal street conduct.
As authorities remain vigilant in curbing such problems, they encourage citizens to work together to dismantle the networks that enable organized thuggery masquerading as community activism. The case of S serves as a poignant reminder of the broader issue of criminality that continues to affect many localities across Indonesia. Open dialogues between police and communities are seen as crucial in combating this issue effectively.
