Jakarta – When leading the Red and White cabinet meeting on October 20, 2024, President Prabowo Subianto conveyed four important things related to online gambling, drugs, smuggling, and corruption. President Prabowo asked law enforcers not to hesitate to take action against the four issues. This can only be eradicated completely with firm steps from law enforcers, as well as support from intelligence.
Regarding online gambling, President Prabowo Subianto has a firm commitment to eradicate online gambling. In fact, eradicating online gambling among the community is one of Prabowo’s priorities in his current administration.
Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), Meutya Hafid, said that Kemenkomdigi continues to support the investigation of certain employees who are suspected of abusing their authority by not blocking online gambling sites. His party also admitted that it has not been able to conduct an audit or change the technology system because it is still under police supervision and investigation.
“We have not been able to make massive system improvements, because the investigation is currently underway. So please be patient. Every time there is a new name given by the Police, we immediately deactivate it,” said Meutya in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/11).
Meutya also added that President Prabowo Subianto advised institutions and law enforcement agencies not to assist individuals involved in online gambling activities and emphasized the need to combat this crime.
“The President asked all ministries/institutions to unite to combat online gambling because most of the victims are the poor. The President asked that no institution collude with individuals involved in online gambling,” Meutya added.
The Head of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), Ivan Yustiavandana, said the same thing, that his party recorded that the turnover of money related to online gambling during the second semester of 2024 reached IDR 283 trillion, up from the first semester.
“So, if in the past people did online gambling, the transaction was in the millions. Well, now it can be Rp10,000, we have seen someone can gamble. That’s what makes the transaction more massive,” said Ivan.
According to him, the turnover of transactions related to online gambling tends to increase. PPATK data, in 2021 it reached IDR 57.91 trillion. Then, it increased to IDR 104.42 trillion in 2022. The turnover of transactions in 2023 has soared to IDR 327.05 trillion. While in the first semester of 2024 it has reached 174.56 trillion.
“Since January-June 2024, the amount of funds circulating related to online gambling reached IDR 13.2 trillion. The data is based on 10 analysis reports conducted by PPATK,” explained Ivan.
Meanwhile, Cyber Law Expert from the University of Indonesia, Intan Pratama said the government’s steps to reveal online gambling practices within the government’s internal sphere should be appreciated. This transparency is important so that the public understands the government’s commitment to taking firm action against violations of the law.
“Supporting the government’s steps in tightening supervision and taking action against state officials involved in online gambling. So that a clean government is created and free from illegal activities. This is a positive step that needs to be supported by all parties,” said Intan. [*]
