Thread: Bali police told to shoot on sight

Concerned by Bali’s rapidly increasing crime rate and the effect it may have on the island’s tourism, the head of the province’s police on Sunday issued a shoot-on-sight order for criminals targeting foreigners.

“The police have to act firmly, and, if necessary, shoot on sight if perpetrators try to escape arrest,” Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko said.

He said that the frequency of crimes against foreign tourists and residents alike in Denpasar and the surrounding Badung district had now reached worrying levels.

The police chief lost his patience on Sunday when he received a report of a robbery attempt against Ekoto Philip Mimbimi, 35, that left the American national in the hospital.

Police said Mimbimi had fought two burglars attempting to rob his house in North Kuta, Badung district.

The criminals broke in through the back door of the house wearing ninja masks at around 3:00 a.m. Mimbimi was watching television and resisted the invasion, but was stabbed in the thigh.

“The criminals have been arrested and the victim is still receiving treatment in the hospital,” said I Gede Bambang Wiryawan, Bali Police chief of detectives.

On Tuesday, robbers attacked Christine Cheril, a 57-year-old Australian tourist staying at Villa Mangga in Mengwi, Badung.

Police said the perpetrators, whose numbers remain unclear, gagged and bound the victim and fled with Rp 180 million ($20,000) worth of valuables.

Lusiana Burgess, 46, the wife of a retired British pilot, was found dead at her home in Umalasar in North Kuta on Jan. 19. Police believe she was also the victim of a robbery.

Police are also investigating the daylight armed robbery of three gas stations, one on Jan. 15 and two others in October and November.

Hadiatmoko emphasized that no matter how trivial a crime and regardless of whether locals or foreigners are targeted, the island’s image as a safe tourist destination was at risk.

However, Hadiatmoko also condemned the preference of many tourists to seek privacy over safety.

“Many of the illegal villas are not equipped with adequate security measures and are targets for robbers,” he said.

The Bali Villa Association estimates that there are about 300 illegal villas for rent in Badung district.

The association has set up a joint team to educate the managers of hotels and other accommodations on their obligation to report the details of their guests to authorities.

Bali Police Shooting on Sight to Tackle Crime | The Jakarta Globe

Originally Posted by balinews

Concerned by Bali’s rapidly increasing crime rate and the effect it may have on the island’s tourism, the head of the province’s police on Sunday issued a shoot-on-sight order for criminals targeting foreigners.

“The police have to act firmly, and, if necessary, shoot on sight if perpetrators try to escape arrest,” Insp. Gen. Hadiatmoko said.

He said that the frequency of crimes against foreign tourists and residents alike in Denpasar and the surrounding Badung district had now reached worrying levels.

The police chief lost his patience on Sunday when he received a report of a robbery attempt against Ekoto Philip Mimbimi, 35, that left the American national in the hospital.

Police said Mimbimi had fought two burglars attempting to rob his house in North Kuta, Badung district.

The criminals broke in through the back door of the house wearing ninja masks at around 3:00 a.m. Mimbimi was watching television and resisted the invasion, but was stabbed in the thigh.

“The criminals have been arrested and the victim is still receiving treatment in the hospital,” said I Gede Bambang Wiryawan, Bali Police chief of detectives.

On Tuesday, robbers attacked Christine Cheril, a 57-year-old Australian tourist staying at Villa Mangga in Mengwi, Badung.

Police said the perpetrators, whose numbers remain unclear, gagged and bound the victim and fled with Rp 180 million ($20,000) worth of valuables.

Lusiana Burgess, 46, the wife of a retired British pilot, was found dead at her home in Umalasar in North Kuta on Jan. 19. Police believe she was also the victim of a robbery.

Police are also investigating the daylight armed robbery of three gas stations, one on Jan. 15 and two others in October and November.

Hadiatmoko emphasized that no matter how trivial a crime and regardless of whether locals or foreigners are targeted, the island’s image as a safe tourist destination was at risk.

However, Hadiatmoko also condemned the preference of many tourists to seek privacy over safety.

“Many of the illegal villas are not equipped with adequate security measures and are targets for robbers,” he said.

The Bali Villa Association estimates that there are about 300 illegal villas for rent in Badung district.

The association has set up a joint team to educate the managers of hotels and other accommodations on their obligation to report the details of their guests to authorities.

Bali Police Shooting on Sight to Tackle Crime | The Jakarta Globe

What makes a Villa illegal??

I remember Thailand had a shoot to apprehend order a few years back for "Yabba" (Crystal Meth tablets) possession, it was something like 3000+ people were murdered in 6 months and the numbers were so high and unbelievable that the government said it was just gang wars.. even the police managed to witness these every time...

Originally Posted by soontobeexpat

What makes a Villa illegal??

If it has been built for holiday rentals and is not appropriately registered and paying the 10% tax, then they refer to it as illegal - particularly in Badung Regency

Police told to shoot on sight

I just read that article, too. I was under the impression that Indonesian police already did that (maybe not "Balinese police"). Something like arrest first, shoot them in the leg, ask questions later. Hard for the alleged criminal(s) to escape that way!

Personally, I don't think empowering potentially trigger-happy police to "shoot on sight" is a wise move at all. Then again, maybe they could have shot Gayus Tambanana (sic) after watching the tennis tournament in Bali.

There can be no doubt that violent crimes in Bali have increased significantly in the past 18 months. Even the authorities are becoming concerned. But - what to do? Shoot from the hip? Who knows? It might work.

Now I wonder how many "life-savers" are still employed by big hotels caring for the safety of their swimming guests? I mean by that the "life-savers" who can't swim themselves? Sing-ken-ken, I guess.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

I just read that article, too. I was under the impression that Indonesian police already did that (maybe not "Balinese police"). Something like arrest first, shoot them in the leg, ask questions later. Hard for the alleged criminal(s) to escape that way!

Personally, I don't think empowering potentially trigger-happy police to "shoot on sight" is a wise move at all. Then again, maybe they could have shot Gayus Tambanana (sic) after watching the tennis tournament in Bali.

There can be no doubt that violent crimes in Bali have increased significantly in the past 18 months. Even the authorities are becoming concerned. But - what to do? Shoot from the hip? Who knows? It might work.

Now I wonder how many "life-savers" are still employed by big hotels caring for the safety of their swimming guests? I mean by that the "life-savers" who can't swim themselves? Sing-ken-ken, I guess.

Is it that its more common or more easily accessible? I know with my friends (22 - 30) they have become alot more accustomed to using the internet/computers in the last 1.5 - 2 years than before hand. More of them also are having mobile broadband in there homes aswell. In Australia people are always saying this however is crime increasing or is it easier to access these stories?

Before it would take 1 - 2 days to be in the news paper but now its on the net as soon as it happens and its easier to report so more stories are being done. I donno.

Im not sure if the ever "trigger happy" police would come about in Bali though. With executions in Indonesia they are very superstitous regarding the number 3. They must be performed in 3's otherwise the executioner will have no part as he believes the spirits will come back to haunt them. Apparently they see 3 as a dead number?

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

I just read that article, too. I was under the impression that Indonesian police already did that (maybe not "Balinese police"). Something like arrest first, shoot them in the leg, ask questions later. Hard for the alleged criminal(s) to escape that way!

Personally, I don't think empowering potentially trigger-happy police to "shoot on sight" is a wise move at all. Then again, maybe they could have shot Gayus Tambanana (sic) after watching the tennis tournament in Bali.

There can be no doubt that violent crimes in Bali have increased significantly in the past 18 months. Even the authorities are becoming concerned. But - what to do? Shoot from the hip? Who knows? It might work.

Now I wonder how many "life-savers" are still employed by big hotels caring for the safety of their swimming guests? I mean by that the "life-savers" who can't swim themselves? Sing-ken-ken, I guess.

I think we should look at the context of the kapoldas directive? you will find the shoot on sight policy relates to the actual commission of a particular offence. That being told, it is rare that such opportunities will avail themselves with the officer having to be there at the time, armed (with actual bullets) and perpetrators not willing to stop engaging in the criminal act. I mention actual bullets as most police are not issued with pistols nor with bullets for example the road police (lalu lintas) are everywhere but usually are not armed. The other issue is their are many javanese (other provincial) police in bali and it is not a total balinese police force per se.
The last comment re the association has been set up to teach managers to report details of foreign guests is a little strange as this rule is compulsory throughout indonesia and either hotels/long stay type accomodation are not reporting nor are the police regularly circulating to identify those that do not. This particular issue was ment to have been rectified post bali bombings; however, complacency has set in and people can still check into hotels under one passport or in the local case one KTP.

I think I'm having a bad day. Been waiting four days for a Sanken washing-machine "technician" to fix our broken one. Not "fix" - to appear! Probably they don't have handphones and the decency to ring and say they've been delayed. (Fairly common in Indonesia - something you try to get used to.) I bought a new washing machine yesterday (not a Sanken). Hmmpfff. "Customer service"? What's that?

soontobeexpat

...however is crime increasing or is it easier to access these stories?

Both. I hope you'll be one of the lucky ones and not experience any first-hand.

...Im not sure if the ever "trigger happy" police would come about in Bali though.

Why is that? Wishful thinking, perhaps?

They must be performed in 3's otherwise the executioner will have no part as he believes the spirits will come back to haunt them. Apparently they see 3 as a dead number?

It's not all that "apparent" to me, but I grant you that millions of Indonesians are extremely superstitious folk - many adults are still afraid of the dark. I haven't met an "executioner", per se...I wonder if their spirits could be appeased with 3 million rupiah?

springer2003

I mention actual bullets as most police are not issued with pistols nor with bullets for example the road police (lalu lintas) are everywhere but usually are not armed. The other issue is their are many javanese (other provincial) police in bali and it is not a total balinese police force per se.

Yes - I am aware of that. I heard that even Indonesian soldiers have to buy their own bullets. Probably not true(?) But what if they were supplied with guns and bullets?

This next comment of yours must refer to something I haven't mentioned at all. We all get lazy at times and make mistakes. We should all take care what we quote, if only for immediate continuity...

The last comment re the association has been set up to teach managers to report details of foreign guests is a little strange as this rule is compulsory throughout indonesia and either hotels/long stay type accomodation are not reporting nor are the police regularly circulating to identify those that do not. This particular issue was ment to have been rectified post bali bombings; however, complacency has set in and people can still check into hotels under one passport or in the local case one KTP.

Seen any "life-savers" lately?

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

I think I'm having a bad day. Been waiting four days for a Sanken washing-machine "technician" to fix our broken one. Not "fix" - to appear! Probably they don't have handphones and the decency to ring and say they've been delayed. (Fairly common in Indonesia - something you try to get used to.) I bought a new washing machine yesterday (not a Sanken). Hmmpfff. "Customer service"? What's that?

soontobeexpat

Both. I hope you'll be one of the lucky ones and not experience any first-hand.
Why is that? Wishful thinking, perhaps?
It's not all that "apparent" to me, but I grant you that millions of Indonesians are extremely superstitious folk - many adults are still afraid of the dark. I haven't met an "executioner", per se...I wonder if their spirits could be appeased with 3 million rupiah?

springer2003

Yes - I am aware of that. I heard that even Indonesian soldiers have to buy their own bullets. Probably not true(?) But what if they were supplied with guns and bullets?

This next comment of yours must refer to something I haven't mentioned at all. We all get lazy at times and make mistakes. We should all take care what we quote, if only for immediate continuity...

Seen any "life-savers" lately?

You are right the last quote is from an article that was pulled offline today for reasons only known by the aussie media outlet. Reference you comments even if they were supplied with guns? your assuming they will be responding within a few minutes of a call? which is doubtful and explains why armed officers (brimob usually) are left in static positions near bounty and other areas already tooled up.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCool

I think I'm having a bad day. Been waiting four days for a Sanken washing-machine "technician" to fix our broken one. Not "fix" - to appear! Probably they don't have handphones and the decency to ring and say they've been delayed. (Fairly common in Indonesia - something you try to get used to.) I bought a new washing machine yesterday (not a Sanken). Hmmpfff. "Customer service"? What's that?

soontobeexpat

Both. I hope you'll be one of the lucky ones and not experience any first-hand.
Why is that? Wishful thinking, perhaps?
It's not all that "apparent" to me, but I grant you that millions of Indonesians are extremely superstitious folk - many adults are still afraid of the dark. I haven't met an "executioner", per se...I wonder if their spirits could be appeased with 3 million rupiah?

Your probably right in answering both.. I hope that I dont however having experienced a few negative and gruesome things whlst in Bali I hope I can be realistic about it and recognise that they are not all bad people and bad things happen at home aswell.

I only say what I say re the executions as my friend is one of the folk currently appealing there death sentence. Whilst I agree a slip of money could change the outcome of the numbers in the execution I am unaware of where this money wuld come from.