"If he has been caught, just punish him as heavily as possible," he said after inaugurating the Tian Fu Gong temple here on Sunday.
According to him, street crimes such as robbery and thuggery must not be tolerated because they disturb public safety and tarnish Jakarta's image as a global city.
The statement was made after he received information that the perpetrator of the snatch theft against the foreign national had been successfully apprehended by police officers on Friday (May 15).
He emphasized that the Jakarta Provincial Government fully supports the authorities' steps in eradicating criminal acts in the city.
"Jakarta is currently the second safest city in ASEAN, and of course, this momentum must be maintained together," he said.
He explained that security is a crucial factor for Jakarta as a center of government, business, and tourism.
The snatch theft incident against a foreign national in the HI Roundabout area had previously drawn public attention because it occurred at one of the busiest and most iconic spots in the city.
Earlier, Central Jakarta Metro Police had been hunting for the perpetrator who snatched a Motorola Neo 60 mobile phone from an Italian national in the HI Roundabout area.
The incident occurred on Thursday (May 14) afternoon while the victim was using his phone on the roadside. The perpetrator, riding a red motorcycle, suddenly approached and snatched the phone.
The victim tried to chase him but fell, and the theft was captured by a camera inside a passing car. The victim has already been questioned by the police.
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Translator: Siti, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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