Online Gambling Rampant, Experts Agree to Take Serious and Comprehensive Steps
Jakarta – Online gambling or better known as “Judol” has become a serious spotlight for the Indonesian government. Various groups, from ministry officials to observers, have unanimously voiced their support for the government’s firm steps led by President Prabowo Subianto in combating this illegal activity.
Radius Setiyawan, a Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies from the Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya, views online gambling as an “ancient crime issue” that has existed since ancient times, but with a different medium.
“In the past, there were cockfights, dice, and the like as physical mediums, now the medium has changed to cyber,” said Radius.
From an economic perspective, Andy Nugroho from Advisors Alliance Group Indonesia said that online gambling not only destroys finances, but also has the potential to trigger criminal acts.
“Online gambling makes perpetrators lose financial stability, which in the end can give rise to the seeds of criminality,” he said.
BaraJP General Chairperson Utje Gustaaf Patty emphasized that all parties authorized to eradicate online gambling must follow President Prabowo’s direction.
“Law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Digital Communication cannot work alone. Banking must also be involved because the main tools in online gambling are the internet network and bank accounts,” said Utje.
He hopes that all parties will prioritize the interests of the people in efforts to eradicate this practice.
In addition, the Executive Director of the Indonesian Digital Consumer Institute (LKDI), Abdul Kholik, M.Sc., appreciated President Prabowo’s firmness in handling this case. He considered the government’s steps in arresting dozens of employees of the Ministry of Digital Communication who were involved in protecting thousands of online gambling sites as a quick and firm action.
“The government’s quick action is proven by this arrest, and this needs to be supported by all parties,” said Abdul Kholik.
Meanwhile, Cyber Law Expert from the University of Indonesia, Intan Pratama, welcomed the government’s steps in handling this case.
“The government needs to continue to strengthen legal sanctions to provide a clear warning to all state apparatus, so that a clean government is created that is free from illegal activities,” he explained.
This government transparency step, Intan continued, is very important so that the public understands the government’s commitment to taking firm action against violations of the law.
Acting Head of the Women’s Empowerment Division of the Jakarta Empowerment, Child Protection, and Population Control Service (PPAPP), Marini Sri Indraswari, said that domestic violence is a domino effect of financial and mental instability caused by online gambling addiction.
“This problem not only causes physical wounds but also deep psychological ones, especially for women and children,” said Marini.
She emphasized that gambling threatens the resilience of households in various levels of society.
The government, through direct instructions from President Prabowo, has shown a firm stance against this practice.
Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, said that the President had instructed that there be no “collusion” or protection for online gambling perpetrators.
“In the cabinet meeting, the President emphasized cross-ministerial and institutional cooperation to eradicate this problem completely,” said Meutya.
According to her, the war against online gambling is not just a momentary operation.
“This is a long-term effort. The common people often become victims, so the state must pay special attention,” she said.
Support from the community is very much needed to maintain the nation’s social, economic, and security resilience from the threat of online gambling which is increasingly rampant.
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