Ministry of Communication and Digital Inaugurates New Officials, Important Momentum to Strengthen Digital Space Security from Online Gambling
Jakarta – Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Okta Kumala Dewi, hopes that the inauguration of new officials at the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) will be an important momentum in ensuring the security of digital space from cyber threats including online gambling.
“This inauguration must be a new spirit to create a digital space that is safe, clean, and free from cybercrime that threatens national and regional stability,” said member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Okta Kumala Dewi.
According to Okta, online gambling is a gateway for transnational crime that allegedly involves large syndicates in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia. Data from the UN Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) states that more than 100,000 people in Cambodia are trapped in syndicates that force them to work in the online gambling and cyber fraud sectors. Okta Kumala Dewi explained that these syndicates often use fraudulent tactics through fake job vacancies that promise high salaries.
“This is a clear example of how transnational syndicates operate with a structured fraudulent mode. They not only target low-income communities, but also young people who are vulnerable to digital fraud,” he said.
Okta also revealed that this crime involved a well-organized cross-country network, starting from local recruiters in Indonesia to operations in destination countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
“Online gambling is a cross-border threat that not only harms individual victims, but also endangers national security through money laundering practices, labor exploitation, and other illegal activities,” Okta stressed.
The inauguration of new Komdigi officials by Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid provides new hope in efforts to eradicate online gambling.
“Komdigi must strengthen the technology of monitoring and blocking online gambling sites. With new competent officials, we hope there will be acceleration in efforts to create a safe digital ecosystem for the community,” said Okta.
Efforts to eradicate online gambling are also in line with cross-ministerial and institutional efforts coordinated through the Online Gambling Eradication Desk, which involves Komdigi, BSSN, PPATK, Polri, and Bank Indonesia.
Okta emphasized that eradicating online gambling requires collective collaboration from various parties. Not only the government, but also the community must actively participate in increasing digital literacy and reporting suspicious activities.
“Through solid cooperation, we can stop international syndicates that exploit weaknesses in our system. The government must strengthen digital diplomacy and international security cooperation to overcome this threat,” he concluded. []
