M

otorcycle gangs are creating a climate of insecurity in Makassar, South Sulawesi, especially in the evenings, when several people have fallen victims to the gangs.

'€œI'€™ve lost my sense of safety in Makassar, especially at night. On my way home, I'€™m always worried that I will be targeted by the gangs,'€ Makassar resident Abdul Chalid said on Thursday.

Over the past two months, three residents have been killed after being ambushed by gangs with bows and arrows.

The deceased have been identified as Muhammad Riswan, 22; Wahyudi, 22; and Alfandi Ramadhan, 15.

Riswan died on Tuesday after he was attacked by members of a motorcycle gang early on Sept. 6. Wahyudi was attacked early on Sept. 7 and died a few hours later, while Alfandi was assaulted on July 20 and died the same day.

Makassar City Police chief Sr. Comr. Fery Abraham acknowledged the gangs had once again become prominent in Makassar.

He believed the gang members were different to those of last year.

'€œNew gangs are causing havoc now. Their number is actually smaller than last year'€™s gangs, but they are more brutal,'€ Fery said.

He said the gang members were juveniles and had been identified as being underage. He added they were not homeless and owned motorcycles.

'€œThey act after hanging out with their friends. They don'€™t plan their actions. They just act when they gather,'€ he said.

According to Fery, the police were unsure about how to deal with the perpetrators as they were still underage. He was also hesitant about taking stern action against the gangs or implementing the instructions of South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Burhanuddin Andi, who ordered the police to shoot offenders on the spot.

Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto said he would hold a meeting with civilian police auxiliaries (hansip) and the heads of neighborhood units (RT) and community units (RW).

'€œWe will use RTs and RWs to approach the parents of gang members and implement a neighborhood security system around the clock, to prevent children from joining the gangs,'€ said Ramdhan.

He has also allowed police to take stern measures against gang members who commit crimes, and he has requested support from the Indonesian Military (TNI) in dealing with the issue.

'€œWe hope that with these steps, the gangs will cease to exist. Even if they hang out or assemble, they will carry out positive activities,'€ said Ramdhan.

Makassar'€™s Hasanuddin University sociologist Darwis said the gangs were becoming more violent and were disturbing public order.

'€œThe police should take firm action against the gang members, even though they are underage, because they are involved in robberies and murders,'€ Darwis said.

He added that the police must coordinate with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

He said the family environment, school upbringing, peer pressure and a lack of space to pursue hobbies were among the factors that had influenced the teenagers'€™ bad behavior.