Meutya Hafid: Kemkomdigi Focuses on Implementing Technology and Cross-Sector Collaboration to Combat Online Gambling
Jakarta – Minister of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), Meutya Hafid, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening oversight of the digital space to combat the growing prevalence of online gambling in Indonesia. Meutya explained that through the policies implemented under President Prabowo’s seven priority Desk Programs in the areas of politics and security, the government has prioritized two key sectors: the Online Gambling Eradication Desk and the Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection Desk.
“Online gambling not only harms the country’s economy but also has widespread social impacts. Therefore, we are strengthening the Online Gambling Eradication Desk with a technology-based approach and cross-sector collaboration to make these efforts more effective,” Meutya said.
She added that the rise of online gambling in the digital space affects various layers of society, including families and the economy. This poses a major challenge for the government in maintaining social and economic stability.
“Thus, the government sees the need for increased collaboration between the technology sector, law enforcement agencies, and the public to create long-term solutions to this illegal practice,” she explained.
Furthermore, Meutya Hafid revealed that one of the concrete steps to be taken is the development of technological platforms to block online gambling sites and monitor suspicious digital activity.
“This technology-based approach will yield more optimal and faster results. Additionally, the use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) will help predict patterns and trends used by those involved in online gambling,” she added.
During the same occasion, the President’s Special Advisor for Political and Security Affairs, General (Ret.) Wiranto, welcomed the government’s efforts to strengthen the fight against online gambling. According to Wiranto, addressing this issue must be done with an integrated strategy, encompassing several key aspects.
“Dealing with online gambling should involve several important aspects, such as legal measures, technology access blocking, and enhancing digital literacy among the public. This way, the public won’t easily fall into illegal practices that harm many parties,” he explained.
Wiranto also emphasized that the government must act quickly and decisively in formulating clear regulations and enforcing the law effectively to close loopholes in the circulation of online gambling in Indonesia.
“Collaboration between government agencies, technology, and the private sector will greatly support the success of combating online gambling in our country,” Wiranto said.
The government is also continuing to strengthen digital literacy for the public, with the goal of raising awareness about the potential risks in the digital world. This is crucial so that people are less likely to fall prey to scams or temptations from online gambling sites. By enhancing digital understanding, the government hopes the public will be more cautious and discerning when accessing information on the internet.
