Government Ensures Firm Action Against Individuals Backing Online Gambling Sites

Jakarta – The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) has ensured that the online gambling site suspected of being involved in money laundering (TPPU) through the Aruss Hotel, Semarang, Central Java, did not receive protection from certain employees of the Ministry of Digital Information and Information (Komdigi).

“Not (backed by Komdigi), in fact, the (site) was taken down and reappeared,” said the Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police, Brigadier General Pol Helfi Assegaf.

The statement was made after the police named PT AJP and FH as suspects in the alleged TPPU case related to the management of the online gambling site.

Helfi explained that although the online gambling site had been taken down several times by Komdigi, it had reappeared with variations of similar or different names.

“The website changes very quickly, after a few months, it changes, then it is taken down, opened again, closed again,” he added.

The National Police Criminal Investigation Unit stated that there were three online gambling sites involved in the money laundering fund flow being investigated, namely Dafabet, Agen 138, and Judi Bola.

Helfi emphasized that there was no indication that the three sites were backed by Komdigi employees, as had happened to several other online gambling sites.

The police have also taken steps to confiscate evidence in the form of money worth IDR 103.2 billion.

According to Helfi, the money allegedly originating from the operations of this online gambling site was collected by FH and used for the construction and operation of the Aruss Hotel in Semarang. FH himself is a commissioner of PT AJP, the corporation that is the reported party in this case.

“The proceeds from the hotel operations also went into FH’s pocket,” he added.

The police have conducted an in-depth investigation regarding the flow of funds from this online gambling site, including financial transactions from players to bookies.

“This process involves an investigation for some time,” explained Helfi.

It is known that the funds for the construction of the Aruss Hotel were transferred through several accounts, including accounts with the initials OR, RF, MD, KP, as well as through significant cash withdrawals and deposits.

Previously, the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, also emphasized that the government together with related agencies, such as the National Police, the Attorney General, and the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs, have committed to eradicating online gambling practices in Indonesia.

“No one should back them, help them, or whatever,” said Meutya.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi emphasized that President Prabowo Subianto is very serious about handling the problem of online gambling in Indonesia.

“He wants to enforce the law as strictly as possible,” said Prasetyo.