Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung responded to the cellphone-snatching case involving an Italian citizen, identified by the initials CL, which occurred several days ago near the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout in Menteng, Central Jakarta, and demanded that the perpetrators be punished to the fullest extent possible.
The mugging incident took place on Thursday, the 14th of May, at around 4.10 PM local time. At the time, CL was waiting for an online ride-hailing service by the roadside. According to Central Jakarta Metro Police Public Relations Chief, First Inspector Erlyn Sumantri, the perpetrators arrived on a motorcycle and immediately snatched the victim’s cellphone.
As a result of the incident, the victim’s Motorola Neo 60 cellphone was stolen, and CL fell to the ground while attempting to chase the perpetrators. The victim later reported the incident to the Menteng Police at around 8 PM local time.
As of Sunday, the 17th of May, the perpetrators, consisting of two cellphone snatchers, had been arrested by the authorities.
Anung emphasised that Jakarta’s reputation as the second safest city in ASEAN must be maintained collectively. He also expressed his full support for law enforcement officials in cracking down on thuggery in Jakarta.
“If anyone is caught, the perpetrators should be punished as severely as possible. Jakarta is now the second safest city in ASEAN. And of course, this momentum must be maintained together,” the Governor said on Sunday.
Kevin Wu, a member of Commission A of the Jakarta Regional People’s Representative Council from the PSI faction, also expressed concern regarding the mugging incident.
“I am deeply concerned and strongly condemn the mugging of a foreign national in the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout area. This is not just an ordinary street crime case, as this location is one of Jakarta’s main attractions,” Wu previously said in his statement on Saturday, 16th of May.
Wu also called for increased security in strategic areas through integrated patrols with the police, cross-agency coordination with agencies such as the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Transportation Agency, as well as the installation of additional CCTV cameras.
“Jakarta may dream of becoming a global city, but tourists and residents should not feel unsafe holding their cell phones on the side of the road,” he added.