Foundation plans to open casino in Seribu Islands<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Puncak, West Java<\/p>\n
Jakarta's Seribu Islands regency may eventually become a haven
\nfor gamblers as a number of investors have proposed to the
\nregency that they be allowed to open casinos.<\/p>\n
Seribu Islands Regent Abdul Kadir revealed here on Wednesday
\nthat one particular investor had even submitted a written
\nproposal to his office.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, several investors have expressed their plans verbally to
\nme. But only one investor has officially proposed managing a
\ncasino on one of the islands,\" Kadir told reporters on the
\nsidelines of a Jakarta Legislative Council meeting here.<\/p>\n
He refused to disclose the investor, and only said that it was
\na foundation based in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The foundation, he said, had put all the details in its
\nproposal such as envisioned revenue-sharing with the regency and
\nthe city, and even the requirements for prospective gamblers.<\/p>\n
The gamblers, according to the proposal, would be required to
\ndeposit at least Rp 10 million (US$1,000) and should have a
\nmembership card so as to avoid \"ordinary\" people entering the
\ncasino.<\/p>\n
\"I have informed local residents that in the near future there
\nwill be (legalized) gambling on the islands. And they have no
\nobjection,\" he claimed.<\/p>\n
He revealed that casinos would be built on one or two islands
\nout of 45 islands currently owned by private companies and
\nindividuals.<\/p>\n
Nine of the 45 islands are currently used as resorts while the
\nremaining 36 islands are deserted or used for private purposes,
\neven though the owners' permits are for tourism.<\/p>\n
Islands currently used as resorts include Matahari, Ayer,
\nBidadari, Pantara and Putri islands.<\/p>\n
Kadir indicated that the island which would most probably host
\na casino was one located around Panjang island, which has an
\nairstrip for light planes and helicopters.<\/p>\n
The Seribu Islands consists of 110 islands, of which only 11
\nislands are inhabited. The total population of the 11 islands is
\nalmost 15,000 people, mostly poor fishermen.<\/p>\n
The idea to open a casino in the Seribu Islands regency was
\nfirst floated by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso last year amid the
\nmushrooming of illegal gambling dens in the city.<\/p>\n
Localizing gambling activities is expected to increase the
\ncity's revenue since the current illegal gambling dens are
\nbelieved to pay contributions to certain officials and security
\npersonnel as protection money.<\/p>\n
According to a recent survey conducted by the city
\nadministration in cooperation with the Structural Development
\nInstitute of the University of Indonesia, most Jakartans have no
\nobjection to the idea of legalizing gambling in a designated
\nlocation.<\/p>\n
The plan for a casino on an island in the Seribu Islands
\nregency was earlier supported by Jakarta Legislative Council
\nspeaker Edy Waluyo and several political parties, such as the
\nlargest Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.<\/p>\n
A number of Jakarta councillors even went on a comparative
\nstudy trip to the Genting Highlands gambling center in Malaysia
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
As expected, however, some Muslim-based parties rejected the
\nplan.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Ulemas' Council (MUI) also rejected the idea of
\nopening a casino.<\/p>\n
According to the Criminal Code, gambling is illegal unless it
\nis permitted by the authorities. A presidential decree banned
\ngambling across the country.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso, nevertheless, said earlier that his
\nadministration planned to ask the central government to allow
\nJakarta to legalize casinos.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/foundation-plans-to-open-casino-in-seribu-islands-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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