Ultimate magazine theme for WordPress.

Government Ensures Arrests of Online Gambling Bookies Without Discrimination

32

By: Rahmat Hidayat )*

The government continues to strengthen its commitment to eradicating online gambling which is considered a serious threat to society. Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, emphasized that action against online gambling bookies will be carried out without discrimination, the government is firm in enforcing the law throughout Indonesia. 

In his statement, Budi Gunawan emphasized the importance of ongoing steps to ensure that every perpetrator of this crime is punished according to applicable law. He explained that the National Police has committed to prosecuting the perpetrators professionally, including if they come from government circles.

Budi admitted that the process of eradicating online gambling is not as easy as imagined. According to him, developing a case like this requires time, strategy, and solid evidence collection. 

He reminded the public to be patient and support the steps of law enforcement officers who continue to try to unravel the large network behind this illegal industry. In this case, the ministries and institutions involved are also expected to maintain their integrity and professionalism.

Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, also supports this firm step. She emphasized that the eradication of online gambling is not only aimed at the general public, but also at government officials involved. 

According to Meutya, employees within the Ministry of Communication and Digital who are proven guilty will be immediately prosecuted in accordance with applicable laws. This affirmation is important to show that the government is serious about eradicating practices that are detrimental to society and the state.

Meutya explained that all employees of her ministry had signed an integrity pact as their commitment to maintain professionalism and stay away from illegal practices, including online gambling.

With the integrity pact, any violations committed by ministry employees will be proof that firm and transparent steps remain a top priority. He also reminded that this firm action is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s direction, which prioritizes clean and efficient governance.

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo also gave a similar affirmation. He stated that the National Police will move quickly to break the online gambling network operating in Indonesia. In accordance with the President’s direction, this step is not only aimed at protecting the public from the negative impacts of online gambling, but also breaking the operational chain. 

In this effort, the National Police are working together with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK). This collaboration aims to track the payment system used by online gambling networks and stop the flow of funds that support their operations.

This cross-agency cooperation is expected to produce significant results. The Chief of Police said that mapping the flow of funds and payment instruments is a top priority to eradicate this illegal industry. 

He stressed that law enforcement will be carried out fairly and comprehensively, both against domestic perpetrators and those operating from abroad. This step shows that the government will not provide space for anyone involved in online gambling practices.

In recent months, the Indonesian National Police have shown significant success in uncovering major cases related to online gambling. The arrest of the bookies and the disclosure of large networks are concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to eradicating this crime. 

One of the cases that stole attention was the arrest of a foreign national in Batam who was a fugitive from Interpol for operating an online gambling platform in China. The perpetrator who was successfully arrested was suspected of being responsible for the circulation of funds amounting to 284 billion rupiah. This step shows that international cooperation is also an important part of combating the increasingly widespread online gambling network.

In addition, the National Police also managed to dismantle an online gambling network that diverted their profits to the property business, such as the Aruss Hotel case in Semarang. In this case, the National Police named two suspects, including a corporation that acted as the recipient and manager of online gambling funds. 

The funds were then disguised to finance the construction of hotels. This firm action shows that the government is not only focusing on the main perpetrators, but also on the entire supporting network involved in money laundering from criminal proceeds.

The government has also taken concrete steps to close public access to online gambling sites. By the end of last year, the National Police together with related ministries had blocked more than 126,000 online gambling sites. This step is part of a comprehensive strategy to suppress the perpetrators’ room to move and protect the public from the negative impacts of online gambling.

Eradication of online gambling does not only focus on legal action, but also on efforts to prevent society, especially the younger generation, from getting caught in this trap. The government continues to encourage education to the public about the dangers of online gambling, both in terms of economy, social, and law. With a comprehensive approach, it is hoped that this practice can be minimized until it finally disappears from Indonesia.

The government’s commitment to eradicating online gambling without discrimination reflects its seriousness in creating a safe and conducive environment for the community. This step is also part of an effort to build a clean, transparent and responsible government.

With synergy between the Police, ministries, and related institutions, the government is optimistic that it can completely break the chain of online gambling networks. Full support from the community is certainly an important factor for the success of this effort. 

*) Public Policy Analysis

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.