By: Shenna Aprilya Zahra )*
The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating online gambling, which is considered to damage public morals and threaten the future of the nation’s generation. Through various strategic steps, law enforcement officers together with related institutions work indiscriminately to ensure that there are no loopholes for such illegal practices in Indonesia. This commitment is real evidence of the government’s seriousness in protecting the public from the negative impacts of increasingly rampant online gambling activities.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo explained that his party had collaborated with various ministries, including the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), to take action against anyone involved in online gambling networks.
The joint team not only targets the main perpetrators, but also focuses on other parties involved, both internal and external. The investigation continues, including by collaborating with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to unravel the flow of funds that support the network.
The Chief of Police emphasized that this eradication effort is in line with the President’s direction not to give any space to criminals. The main focus is to protect the public from becoming victims of economic exploitation by increasingly complex online gambling networks.
Until now, law enforcement continues to move actively, although the identities of several parties involved have not been revealed because the investigation is still ongoing. This step confirms that there is no special treatment for anyone who violates the law, both ordinary individuals and individuals with certain positions.
On the other hand, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menkopolkam) Budi Gunawan highlighted the importance of a strategic approach in eradicating online gambling. The government has prepared comprehensive steps that include education, prevention, and legal enforcement efforts.
The educational approach aims to build public awareness of the dangers of online gambling and encourage collective resistance to the temptation of such illegal activities. Prevention is carried out by cutting off connectivity access and payment systems that are the main nodes of online gambling activities.
When these efforts are ignored and criminal elements are found, the government ensures that law enforcement is carried out firmly, including the application of severe penalties to create a deterrent effect.
Budi Gunawan also emphasized that the strategy does not only focus on repressive actions but also creates a strong preventive framework. With effective education, the public is expected to be more aware of the various modes of operation used by online gambling networks.
Additionally, more proactive preventive measures, such as early warning systems, are designed to detect suspicious activity before it develops into a major threat.
This systematic approach proves that the government is not only addressing the direct impacts of online gambling but is also trying to eliminate the root of the problem as a whole.
The United Indonesian People’s Movement (GRIB) Jaya East Java also gave its full support to the government’s steps. The Head of GRIB Jaya East Java, Akhmad Miftahul Ulum, assessed that firm action against online gambling is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision in maintaining the nation’s social and moral stability.
The organization urged that the handling of online gambling cases be expedited and asked the National Police to take firm action against officers who were proven to be involved in protecting this practice.
In addition, GRIB Jaya Jatim appreciates the statement of former Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, who now serves as Minister of Cooperatives, regarding his commitment to support law enforcement in eradicating online gambling.
This community organization highlights that online gambling is not only a threat to social stability, but also has a destructive impact on the economy of families and society in general.
GRIB Jaya Jatim expressed its concern for individuals who are trapped in debt or have lost their property due to being trapped in online gambling activities. Therefore, they called for the importance of collaboration between the community and the government to ensure that the social environment is free from the destructive influence of this network.
The collective step reflects the government’s seriousness in dealing with the threat of online gambling which is considered as one of the new sources of poverty in society. Online gambling is not only financially detrimental but also has significant social impacts.
The young generation, who are the main targets of the network, are at risk of losing their future due to being trapped in a cycle of crime that is difficult to stop. With the increasing massiveness of this practice, the government considers it important to improve cross-sector coordination so that the eradication results are more effective.
The success of eradicating online gambling requires synergy between the government, the community, and law enforcement. The comprehensive strategy that has been designed, from education to enforcement, shows that the government is not only prosecuting the perpetrators but also trying to break the root of the problem systematically. The involvement of various institutions, such as Komdigi, PPATK, and OJK, shows that these efforts are carried out in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
Support from community organizations such as GRIB Jaya Jatim reinforces the message that eradicating online gambling is a shared responsibility. In addition to urging firm action against perpetrators and officers involved, the organization also invites the public to be aware of the various modes of operation used by the network. This is important so that eradication efforts are not only effective, but also create a positive long-term impact on society.
With strategic steps and solid cross-sector coordination, the government has proven that the eradication of online gambling is not done half-heartedly. This seriousness reflects the determination to protect the nation’s generation from the moral and social threats posed by these illegal activities.
The sustainability of these efforts is expected to create a safer and more conducive environment for the growth and development of the younger generation, as well as encourage the community to actively support government steps for a better future.
In addition, the government continues to evaluate the strategies implemented to be more adaptive to the development of the modus operandi of online gambling networks, ensuring that there is no gap for these activities to develop again.
)* The author is a contributor to the Nusantara Reading Room