Abstract

Vigilantism, or main hakim sendiri in Indonesia, has implications for the public’s confidence in the institutions of criminal justice and the application of punishment outside of the legal procedures. The present study examines the phenomenon from normative legal research and criminological perspectives, with a focus on legal cynicism, anomie, cultural criminology, and individual criminal responsibility. We conducted an analysis of the applicable legal materials in Indonesia in 2024, as well as relevant literature, using statutory and conceptual approaches. The analysis indicates that the use of vigilante violence cannot be explained merely by public discontent with law enforcement. Collective interpretations of wrongdoing, perceptions of institutional effectiveness, and social expectations of order may also help explain how extrajudicial punishment is justified. But public distrust does not automatically lead to violence, and public approval cannot replace the legal assessment of each participant’s conduct. This study highlights the need for accountable institutions, accessible legal procedures and lawful responses to suspected offenses. Further empirical studies are needed to study these relationships in specific Indonesian communities.