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GARUT – A viral video featuring Chairperson of APINDO West Java, Ning Wahyu, highlighting the rise of thuggery disrupting business operations in Garut, prompted a swift cross-institutional response. Ning Wahyu commended the quick action and promptly traveled to Garut to attend a strategic coordination meeting held at the Garut Regent’s Office.

The coordination meeting was attended by representatives from the West Java Regional Police (Polda Jabar), including Director of General Crime Investigation, Kombes Pol Surawan; the 062 Tarumanegara Military Resort Command, represented by Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Inf. Hamzah Budi Susanto, S.E., M.I.P; and members of the Garut Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), including Garut Regent Dr. Ir. H. Abdusy Syakur Amin, M.Eng., IPU; Deputy Speaker of the Garut Regional Parliament Ayi Suryana, S.E.; Commander of Military District 0611/Garut Lt. Col. Inf. Andrik Fachrizal; Garut Police Chief AKBP Mochamad Fajar Gemilang, S.I.K., M.H., M.I.K.; and Garut District Attorney's Head of General Crimes Yudi Nugroho, S.H., M.H. Also present were Chair of APINDO Garut, Tedy Golsom, and various local business actors.

In her remarks, Ning Wahyu outlined the challenges faced by businesses, which go beyond tariff reciprocities to include high logistics costs, legal uncertainty, complex licensing, labor politicization, and thuggery.

She emphasized that acts of thuggery could occur from the early stages of industrial development to the recruitment of workers. These threats take various forms, including intimidation and unfounded legal claims. According to her, the root cause often lies in the local community’s desire to be involved in industrial activities without having adequate skills or understanding.

“As a long-term solution, APINDO West Java proposes an education-based approach for local communities, covering business mindset, work standards, buyer compliance, and entrepreneurship opportunities. This education will be supported by both soft and hard skill training to enable meaningful and professional community participation,” said Ning Wahyu.

APINDO West Java is also preparing to launch an anti-thuggery pilot project in Garut, in close collaboration with the West Java Police, Military Command 062 Tarumanegara, and Forkopimda Garut.

Firm Response from Law Enforcement and Local Government

A strong commitment to creating a safe and conducive investment climate was echoed by multiple institutions. The West Java Regional Police pledged to establish industrial security posts and to act swiftly on any reports. Both the regional military command and local military units committed to proactively deploying personnel to the field without awaiting formal requests—demonstrating direct support for investor protection.

Garut Police reiterated that there is no tolerance for thuggery in the region, while the Garut Prosecutor’s Office assured that it would give special attention to related cases to ensure deterrent effects.

From a regulatory and facilitation standpoint, the Garut Parliament expressed support for accelerating the development of integrated industrial zones to simplify licensing processes. Meanwhile, Garut Regent and his administration declared full support for APINDO’s initiatives, praising the organization’s role in educating, mentoring, training, and empowering communities around industrial areas. On licensing matters, the Regent instructed the local investment office to ensure smooth and complete processing of business permits.

Ning Wahyu expressed appreciation for the rapid and collaborative response from all parties in addressing the issue. She stressed the importance of eliminating non-substantial disruptions that hinder businesses and encouraged Garut to position itself as a model region—free from thuggery and home to a healthy, modern business ecosystem.

“Let’s make Garut a role model of an upgraded region—professional, collaborative, investment-friendly, and economically thriving,” urged Ning Wahyu.

Source: sumedang.pikiran-rakyat.com