Ala Kadarnya Memberantas Judi Online | Opini Tempo

Summary

This opinion piece critiques the Indonesian government's failure to effectively combat online gambling. Despite repeated efforts by law enforcement, authorities are often seen as unwilling or unable to address the issue, especially with the involvement of high-ranking officials and political figures. The script highlights the persistence of illegal gambling activities, the corruption enabling it, and the economic damage caused by money flowing out of the country. The piece calls for the government to take decisive action, break political ties with criminals, and safeguard the nation’s financial well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Indonesian government has not taken serious action in combating online gambling, which continues to thrive despite claims of police intervention.
• 😀 Authorities tend to target low-level players and small-scale gambling operators, while higher-level figures such as politicians and generals remain untouched.
• 😀 The excuse that online gambling cannot be eradicated due to servers being located in countries where gambling is legal is an indication of either laziness or corruption within law enforcement.
• 😀 Allegations have emerged about law enforcement receiving bribes from gambling operators, which raises questions about the police's commitment to tackling the issue.
• 😀 The murder case of Police Inspector General Perdi Sambo revealed connections to gambling syndicates, with reports of funds being funneled through online gambling operations to influence political campaigns, such as the 2024 election.
• 😀 Some casinos in Cambodia, specifically in Sihanoukville and Poipet, are controlled by Indonesian businesspeople, who also run online gambling operations targeting Indonesian players.
• 😀 There is a clear lack of effective action from law enforcement when it comes to investigating reports of online gambling, with authorities often dismissing public complaints and weakly handling evidence.
• 😀 Online gambling operations could still be tracked by tracing the flow of money, even if they are based abroad, and authorities could investigate human trafficking linked to the recruitment of workers for these operations.
• 😀 The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has the capability to block online gambling sites, but this effort has been lackluster, especially since over 10 ministry employees were arrested for protecting gambling websites in exchange for bribes.
• 😀 Online gambling has become increasingly prevalent on social media, with promotions continuing despite efforts to control it, largely due to the protection provided by politicians and other powerful figures.
• 😀 The government's lack of a serious stance on fighting online gambling undermines its rhetoric on nationalism and economic prosperity, as gambling has caused significant capital to flow out of Indonesia, contributing to poverty and crime.

Q & A

What is the main issue raised in the transcript regarding online gambling in Indonesia?

The main issue is that the Indonesian authorities have not been effective in seriously combating online gambling. Despite the availability of various methods to tackle it, including pursuing the operators and blocking gambling sites, the problem persists due to lack of genuine action and political protection for those involved.

How have the police responded to the issue of online gambling, according to the transcript?

The police have been criticized for not taking real action against online gambling. They often claim that they cannot pursue these activities because the servers and operators are located in countries where gambling is legal. This is seen as an excuse for not tackling the problem seriously.

What role do politicians and generals play in the persistence of online gambling in Indonesia?

Politicians and generals are implied to be involved in protecting the online gambling operations. Their alleged involvement in shielding these illegal activities is a significant factor that hinders any substantial efforts to stop them.

What is the connection between the case of Inspector General Perdi Sambo and online gambling?

The case of Inspector General Perdi Sambo's assistant’s murder brought to light the involvement of a gambling syndicate known as 'Consortium 303.' Sambo was believed to be collecting 'protection money' from gambling operators, which further links law enforcement corruption to the issue of online gambling.

What evidence suggests that the Indonesian government has not effectively shut down online gambling websites?

Evidence includes the continued existence of online gambling platforms despite official efforts to block them, as well as reports of government employees being arrested for protecting these sites. Additionally, the failure to prevent ongoing promotions of gambling on social media highlights the lack of seriousness in the crackdown.

What is the role of the Ministry of Communication and Digital in addressing online gambling?

The Ministry of Communication and Digital has the responsibility to block access to online gambling websites. However, the transcript criticizes their efforts as insufficient and ineffective, noting that some employees have been arrested for protecting gambling sites in exchange for bribes.

How do gambling syndicates operate across borders to target Indonesian players?

Gambling syndicates based in countries like Cambodia continue to operate by targeting Indonesian players. These operations are often connected to casinos and other gambling businesses across borders, and workers are sometimes recruited from Indonesia to work in these establishments.

What is the impact of online gambling on Indonesia's economy and society, as outlined in the transcript?

Online gambling is draining money from the country, with significant amounts of Indonesian money being transferred abroad to gambling operators. This is linked to increased poverty and a rise in criminal behavior, as studies show a correlation between gambling, poverty, and crime.

What measures could the Indonesian government take to combat online gambling more effectively?

The government could take stronger action by thoroughly investigating the financial flows of gambling operators, blocking access to gambling sites more effectively, and investigating human trafficking associated with the recruitment of workers for gambling operations. Law enforcement and political will are crucial for a more effective approach.

What criticism is directed at the government and law enforcement in the transcript?

The government and law enforcement are criticized for their lack of serious commitment to addressing the problem of online gambling. The transcript suggests that the issue persists because of ineffective action, political protection of gambling operators, and corruption within law enforcement and government institutions.