inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Rieke Diah Pitaloka, a member of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), for law, human rights, immigration, and corrections, stated that the state must not allow violence to become a part of society.
She highlighted several incidents of violence within the community, resulting in the loss of life, that occurred from July 24 to 26, 2026, in several regions across the country. These included the death of a chicken thief in Tabanan, Bali, a security guard at the Jatiluhur reservoir in Purwakarta, a clash between communities in Menteng-Matrataman, Jakarta, and a motorcycle thief who was killed by a mob in Bahodopi, Morowali, Central Sulawesi.
"This phenomenon is a serious warning that the state must not allow violence to become a part of society," Rieke said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/28/2026).
She emphasized that every problem in a state governed by the rule of law must be resolved through fair legal mechanisms, not through revenge or mob punishment.
She warned that when the public begins to lose trust in the legal process, the opportunity for violence will become increasingly open, ultimately threatening national unity.
Just law enforcement, strengthening social solidarity, and the presence of a state that sides with the people, she said, are necessary amidst economic pressures, increasing social vulnerability, global uncertainty, and the current national stability.
In the three-day period, four incidents occurred that demonstrate that violent practices, whether triggered by social conflict or vigilante action, are increasingly worrying and should not be considered normal.
In response to these incidents, Rieke recommended that the state be present to ensure that all forms of violence, including vigilante action, are processed according to applicable law.
"Law enforcement officials are obliged to act swiftly, transparently, and accountably to restore public trust in the rule of law while providing legal certainty for all citizens," she explained.
Furthermore, the government, together with security forces, religious leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders, and all elements of the nation, need to strengthen tolerance education, build spaces for dialogue, develop mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution, and prevent the spread of provocation, hate speech, and issues that have the potential to divide society.
"The state must provide legal assistance, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, economic recovery, and security guarantees for victims and their families," he said.
This protection, she continued, must ensure that it favors the lower classes who are most vulnerable to violence and its resulting social impacts.
Rieke emphasized that this incident serves as a reminder ahead of Indonesian Independence Day that independence will only be meaningful if every citizen can live safely, receive legal protection, and enjoy justice without fear.
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