Support the Task Force as an Effort to Eradicate and Prevent Online Gambling and Illegal Loans
The Indonesian government has taken firm steps in dealing with the rise of online gambling by establishing an Online Gambling Eradication Task Force (Online Gambling Task Force). This step is a direct response to the increasing cases of online gambling which have disturbed society and threatened social stability.
Hadi Tjahjanto, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) who leads the Task Force, emphasized that the government is very serious about dealing with the problem of online gambling.
“The President’s mandate is to implement concrete and comprehensive policies to disrupt the online gambling ecosystem,” said Hadi.
The Task Force will involve the Police, State Intelligence Agency (BIN), and Indonesian National Army (TNI) to take to the field. “Direct involvement from the Police with support from BIN and TNI is needed,” explained Hadi.
The government would like to thank the full support of the community and law enforcement officials in this effort. Apart from law enforcement measures, the Task Force will also educate the public about the dangers of online gambling.
Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo), Budi Arie Setiadi, who serves as Daily Chair of the Task Force, emphasized the importance of coordination, socialization and resolving obstacles in preventing online gambling.
“Kominfo also handles online gambling by blocking content, closing Internet Service Providers (ISP) and stopping access to platforms that promote online gambling, as well as imposing administrative sanctions on perpetrators,” said Budi.
The membership of this Task Force includes various elements, including police officers, prosecutors, BIN, BSSN and other institutions. The government also urges the public not to get caught up in online gambling practices which can be financially detrimental and damage social life.
The task force that was formed has the main task of monitoring, identifying and taking firm action against sites and applications that offer illegal online gambling and Pinjol services. Apart from that, the Task Force also plays a role in disseminating information to the public regarding the dangers and risks associated with these activities.
It is hoped that education can provide the public with a better understanding of the dangers of online gambling and how to avoid this temptation. Budi Arie also stated that cellular operators such as Telkomsel, XL and Smartfren have shown good cooperation in efforts to eradicate online gambling.
“I communicated with the CEO of the cellular operator so that cell phone credit would not be used to facilitate online gambling. “Telkomsel, XL and Smartfren are very cooperative,” said Budi.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized the prohibitions and dangers related to online gambling, inviting the public not to get involved in gambling both offline and online. “Don’t gamble. “It’s better if you have good fortune, save the money or use it as business capital,” said the President.
The government hopes that with the existence of the Online Gambling Eradication Task Force, public awareness and knowledge regarding the risks of online gambling can increase. In this way, it is hoped that individuals and families can avoid the negative impacts of online gambling practices.
Prevention and literacy are two crucial aspects in efforts to protect the public from the dangers of online gambling and illegal lending. With full support for the Task Force, it is hoped that this effort can run more effectively and have a significant positive impact.
A more educated and alert society is the main key to reducing the risks and losses caused by these illegal practices. Let’s together support the Task Force in maintaining our digital security and prosperity.
