C. Java ulemas suggest centralized gambling den<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): The chairman of Central Java's Ulemas Council,
\nSahal Mahfud, has sparked controversy by suggesting that the
\ngovernment build a secluded gambling center on Nusakambangan
\npenitentiary island.<\/p>\n
Sahal, also deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama's law-making
\nboard, said here recently that such a designated gambling area
\nwould prevent gambling from becoming more widespread.<\/p>\n
The predominately Moslem Indonesia not only regards gambling
\nas an activity forbidden by religion but also considers it a
\ncrime. Violators face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
\nThis has prompted many Indonesians to gamble abroad.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is also an alleged base of a syndicate implicated in
\na current bribery trial in England involving four former English
\nsoccer players and a Malaysian businessman.<\/p>\n
"Such a centralization (of gambling) would protect people who
\ndo not like gambling. Hence, those who gamble or organize
\ngambling dens outside the island must be severely punished,"
\nSahal said.<\/p>\n
Nusakambangan, a small island near Cilacap in the Indian
\nOcean, has been serving as a prison for hardcore criminals since
\n1900, when Indonesia was a Dutch colony.<\/p>\n
Legal experts Satjipto Rahardjo and Muladi agreed to the idea
\nof a concentration of gambling activities. The two argued
\nseparately that the idea could be implemented as a last resort to
\ncurb the illegal practices only after the authorities had given
\nup on their attempts to rid the country of the crime.<\/p>\n
"If we cannot eliminate gambling, it's better that we try to
\nreduce it," said Satjipto, a professor at the Semarang-based
\nDiponegoro University.<\/p>\n
But government approval of centralizing gambling activities
\nwould appear to be a desperate decision, according to the
\nacademic.<\/p>\n
If the plan is adopted, Satjipto said he was afraid the public
\nmight see it as the government sanctioning gambling. "This is a
\nbitter choice on one hand. But on the other hand, this is the
\nonly way which might enable the government to control gambling."<\/p>\n
Muladi, rector of Diponegoro University, said that Indonesia
\ncould learn from Malaysia which provides gamblers a refuge in
\nGenting Highland.<\/p>\n
Malaysia, Australia and the United States are among the
\ncountries which localize instead of banning gambling. Gamblers
\nearn the countries' governments millions dollars in tax revenues
\nannually.<\/p>\n
As with Genting Highland, Indonesia's gambling center must be
\nrestricted only to people who are fond of gambling and have
\nmoney, according to Muladi.<\/p>\n
"No students, civil servants or Armed Forces members should be
\nallowed to enter," he said.<\/p>\n
Muladi said Nusakambangan was only a suggestion; other
\npotential sites included Karimunjawa island and the Seribu
\nIslands in the Java Sea<\/p>\n
He suggested that some portions of profits enjoyed by gambling
\norganizers should go to both the provincial and central
\ngovernment's coffers in the form of taxes.<\/p>\n
"The government could use the money to fund nonreligious
\nprojects, such as road construction and environmental programs,"
\nMuladi said.<\/p>\n
The government terminated the legal lottery in December 1994
\nfollowing nationwide protests. The protesters considered the
\nlottery a form of gambling.<\/p>\n
Prior to the ban, Nahdlatul Ulama had come under fire for
\nreceiving donations from organizers of the lottery. The country's
\nlargest Moslem organization eventually returned the money.<\/p>\n
Central Java governor Soewardi welcomed Sahal's thoughts and
\nsaid he would consider the idea.<\/p>\n
"But we will not decide on this crucial matter in the near
\nfuture. We will first look at both the benefits and costs of the
\nplan," he said.<\/p>\n
"We need more ideas from other sections of society so we can
\ndecide whether or not to pick Nusakambangan or another place as a
\ngambling center," he added. (har\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/c-java-ulemas-suggest-centralized-gambling-den-1447893297",
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