City Council opposes governor's plan to legalize gambling<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): City council has insisted gambling is illegal
\nand suggested that Governor Sutiyoso seek President Abdurrahman
\nWahid's approval if he continues with a plan to centralize
\ngambling activities on Panjang Island.<\/p>\n
"It's up to Governor Sutiyoso if he wants to violate the law
\nand regulations. City council does not have the authority to
\nendorse his proposal," council speaker Edy Waluyo told reporters
\nat city council on Monday.<\/p>\n
He said Sutiyoso should secure the central government's
\napproval instead of asking the council's approval to set up a
\ncentralized arena for gambling.<\/p>\n
Edy said some councilors' support for centralized gambling
\nactivities should be observed as their own personal opinion.<\/p>\n
"It's not the city council's opinion," he said.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said on Friday that he would seek council's approval
\nto establish centralized gambling on Panjang Island in Pulau
\nSeribu (Thousand Islands) if the city council agreed to legalize
\ngambling activities.<\/p>\n
"I personally agree with the centralization of gambling. But
\nit's the city council who has to decide," he told reporters after
\na visit to an oil exploration site on Pabelokan Island in Pulau
\nSeribu.<\/p>\n
"If it is endorsed by council, Panjang Island could be used as
\na gambling site because it's still vacant."<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso's statement was made in response to a statement by
\nformer governor Ali Sadikin, who suggested on Wednesday the
\nlegalization and centralization of gambling.<\/p>\n
"The centralization of gambling could contribute to city
\nrevenue," Sadikin, also known as Bang Ali, said.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said he would conduct raids to eradicate illegal
\ngambling activities in Jakarta if the centralization of gambling
\nwon the council's approval.<\/p>\n
"I admit that the administration's current move to eradicate
\ngambling here is not really effective," he said.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the city administration, Muhayat, said on Friday
\nthat the administration had built a runway on the 16-hectare
\nPanjang Island.<\/p>\n
"The runway can be used by small airplanes," Muhayat said
\nwithout giving details when the runway was built.<\/p>\n
He dismissed speculation that the runway was built to
\nanticipate the city allowing a gambling den on the island, saying
\nthat it was used for tourism for nearby islands.<\/p>\n
Many people have said that several islands in Pulau Seribu
\nhave recently organized gambling activities.<\/p>\n
The city administration closed last month 16 entertainment
\ncenters in North Jakarta, West Jakarta and Central Jakarta, which
\nreportedly provided rooms as gambling dens.<\/p>\n
The public, especially Muslim ulemas, are also concerned with
\nthe increase of togel (illegal lotteries), which have attracted
\nmostly low-income earners. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-council-opposes-governors-plan-to-legalize-gambling-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}