The Surabaya city government is conducting extensive patrols and raids to prevent illegal street racing and ‘sarong wars.’
According to Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, the municipal government, through the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), along with the military (TNI) and police (Polri), has been patrolling the city at night throughout Ramadan 2025.
Despite these efforts, some children continue engaging in sarong wars, deliberately avoiding patrol hours to evade capture.
Strict Sanctions for Sarong War Participants
To curb this dangerous activity, the Surabaya government has introduced strict sanctions for those caught participating. Offenders will be required to assist in caring for people with mental disorders (ODGJ) at the Social Boarding Environment (Liponsos).
“They will be taken to Liponsos to bathe and clean the rooms of mentally ill individuals,” Eri stated on Monday (March 10), as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Additionally, authorities will take detained teenagers to public cemeteries (TPU) to encourage self-reflection and deter them from repeating their actions.
“We will take them to the cemetery to make them reflect on life. They should think about what would happen if their parents passed away—who would take care of them? This is not a punishment meant to ruin them but rather to make them reflect and change,” he explained.
Eri also urged parents to be more attentive, ensuring their children do not spend the pre-dawn (sahur) hours engaging in sarong wars.
Fatal Sarong War Incident in Pekanbaru
Meanwhile, in Pekanbaru, a child lost their life due to a sarong war on Berdikari Street, Rumbai, Pekanbaru, Riau, on Monday (March 3).
Four minors have been arrested and charged under Article 80, Paragraph 3 of the Child Protection Act and the Juvenile Justice System Act.
“In Rumbai, sarong wars involved both hand-to-hand combat and the use of sarongs as weapons,” said Berry on Thursday (March 6, 2025), as reported by Detik.com.
Sarong Wars in Bangka Belitung
A similar incident occurred in the Bangka Belitung Islands. The Belitung Regional Police successfully dispersed a group of students involved in sarong wars.
“Sarong wars are no longer just games; they have evolved into dangerous activities that threaten public safety and order,” said Belitung Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Deddy Dwitiya Putra in Tanjungpandan on Monday.
Authorities aim to put an end to sarong wars among students and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining public safety.
“After declaring the dissolution of the group, we proceeded with the symbolic destruction of sarong war attributes, including flags and other related items, to mark the end of this disruptive practice,” he stated, as reported by Antara News.
The police hope this declaration will make students realize the dangers of sarong wars and encourage them to engage in more positive and constructive activities for their future.
The Origins and Criminal Implications of Sarong Wars
Originally, sarong wars were a harmless tradition enjoyed by children and teenagers after Tarawih prayers during Ramadan. However, they have now turned into a criminal act, often involving violence, assaults, and even fatalities.
Although the exact origins of sarong wars remain unclear, they have been passed down through generations. Traditionally, participants play by swinging a sarong tied at one end to create a soft, padded weapon.
This cultural expression was once considered acceptable within reasonable limits. However, sarong wars have since evolved into violent clashes, often fueled by revenge, leading to severe injuries and fatalities.
“Sarong wars are commonly seen during Ramadan. Initially, they served as a playful activity, but they have now transformed into a means of escalating conflicts and worsening disputes,” states a recent journal study.
Authorities continue to warn communities about the dangers of this escalating trend, urging parents and local leaders to work together to prevent further incidents and promote a safer Ramadan for all.
Source: cnnindonesia.com, detik.com, antaranews.com
Special Photo Credit: via rri.co.id
