KARAWANG, KOMPAS.com - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi emphasized that thugocracy (premanisme) and any form of pressure on the business world must not be given space, as they can hinder the investment climate in the long run.

According to him, a region's success in attracting investors is determined not only by the ease of obtaining permits, but also by legal certainty and security throughout the investment process.

Dedi delivered these statements while attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the LiuGong heavy equipment factory in Karawang Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (July 22, 2026).

The arrival of new investments in the manufacturing sector is seen as an important momentum for West Java to strengthen its position as one of the national industrial hubs.

"Our duty is to safeguard investments, from the licensing process all the way until the industry is established. Subsequently, we must maintain investment security," said Dedi Mulyadi as quoted by Antara.

Why Thugocracy Is Considered a Threat to Investment
According to Dedi, one of the challenges that must be anticipated is the emergence of thugocracy practices that exploit the presence of investments for personal or group gain.

He assessed that acts of intimidation, coercion, and demands for concessions from investors will only create business uncertainty.

If left unchecked, the impact will not only be felt by a single company, but could also affect the interest of other investors looking to invest in West Java.
"There can be no bargaining with individuals or groups that use pressure tactics merely to obtain concessions. This is what we call thugocracy (premanisme). Why? Because it will become a continuous habit that will undoubtedly cause trouble in the long run," he said.
Therefore, Dedi emphasized that the government must be present to ensure that every investment can proceed without pressure from irresponsible parties.

Who Is Responsible for Maintaining the Investment Climate?
Dedi stated that maintaining a favorable investment climate is not solely the duty of local governments, but also requires synergy with security apparatuses.

According to him, the West Java Provincial Government, together with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri), must ensure that all stages of investment—from licensing to industrial operations—run safely and in a conducive manner.

He stressed that investors must be provided with legal certainty so they can conduct their business operations without disruption.

In addition, the provincial government, alongside the Karawang Regency Government, shares the responsibility of escorting investments from the initial stages until factories are built and fully operational.

How Is the West Java Provincial Government Supporting Inbound Investment?
In addition to guaranteeing security, the West Java Provincial Government is also striving to enhance investment attractiveness through infrastructure development.

One of the main focuses currently underway is addressing traffic congestion around the West Karawang Toll Gate, which serves as the primary access to the industrial area.

Dedi considers infrastructure quality to be one of the main indicators evaluated by investors before deploying capital.

Good road access, ease of transportation, and well-organized industrial estates will boost West Java's competitiveness compared to other regions.

Besides offering convenience to investors, infrastructure development will also directly benefit the public through improved connectivity and economic growth around industrial zones.

In addition to building infrastructure, the West Java Provincial Government is also working to enhance human resource quality to meet the needs of an ever-evolving industry.

Dedi stated that the provincial government is preparing various training programs for high school and vocational school graduates to equip them with competencies aligned with industry needs. "Moving forward, we must start thinking about becoming entrepreneurs and producers ourselves so that Indonesia's economy grows even stronger," he said.

[Source]