Gambling: Yes or No?<\/p>\n
Las Vegas is widely known for its legal gambling, while people
\nsay gambling is part of the culture in China. In Malaysia
\ngambling is legal only for certain groups of people.<\/p>\n
While in Indonesia gambling is illegal but - ironically - it
\nprevails.<\/p>\n
Article 303 of the Criminal Code and Article 2 of Law No.
\n7\/1974 rule that gambling operators and gamblers are subject to
\n10 years imprisonment and a Rp 25,000 fine.<\/p>\n
Despite the ban, various types of gambling still exist. In the
\ncapital city we find several examples of small-time gambling
\nactivities around us.<\/p>\n
In most residential areas people stay up the night at
\ncigarette stalls with cards in their hands, betting between Rp
\n2,500 and Rp 5,000 a round -- \"just for fun\". The popular togel
\n(illegal lottery) among the grass roots in almost all kampongs in
\nJakarta is another example.<\/p>\n
On a bigger scale, illegal gambling dens spread throughout all
\nparts of the capital city, including several gambling dens in
\ndowntown, West Jakarta, Central and North Jakarta can be cited as
\nexamples. However, the complex is usually \"heavily\" guarded. A
\ncasino in West Jakarta, for example, is guarded by four armed
\npersonnel, who make it impossible for strangers to enter the
\nvicinity. Nevertheless. a gambler said that police knew of the
\noperation of the casinos, adding that several police officers
\nactually protected the activities.<\/p>\n
Amazingly, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani claimed
\nhe had no idea there were casinos and gambling dens in Jakarta.
\nOne interesting quote from the general is worth repeating: \"You
\ntell us where (the gambling activities are), and we will raid
\nthem. So far, we have only received false information.\"<\/p>\n
Contrary to his claim, only in February this year, a police
\nraid on a house used as a gambling den in Taman Palem, West
\nJakarta, almost sparked a gun battle between a group of police
\nofficers from the National Police and a group of West Jakarta
\npolicemen.<\/p>\n
Following the shameful incident, National Police chief Gen.
\nDa'i Bachtiar concluded that local police were protecting
\ngambling activities in the area. Unconfirmed sources said that
\nthe organizer of the Taman Palem gambling den regularly paid a Rp
\n3 billion fee to West Jakarta Police, the Jakarta Police and the
\nNational Police for protection.<\/p>\n
We have the laws, we have the enforcers, but the laws are not
\nenforced.<\/p>\n
Amid reports on the persistent gambling and poor law
\nenforcement, former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin, who is known
\nfor legalizing gambling and prostitution during his tenure
\nbetween 1966 and 1977, has suggested that gambling in Jakarta be
\nlegalized by establishing legal gambling zones. Recalling his own
\nsuccess, he argued that the city administration could collect a
\nhuge amount of money from casinos and gambling dens to finance
\ncity development projects.<\/p>\n
As predicted, the idea has provoked strong reactions from the
\nIndonesian Ulema Council (MUI). MUI edict commission head Muarif
\nAmin said that legal gambling zones would only justify the
\nbuilding of more gambling dens.<\/p>\n
Ida Ruwaida, a sociologist from the University of Indonesia
\nsaid legalizing gambling would trigger unrest, protests and
\npossible riots as legalizing gambling means forcing many people
\nto accept values against their own.<\/p>\n
Jakarta-based legal expert Rudy Satrio said that legalizing
\ngambling would be proof that the country had given up its duty of
\nenforcing the law.<\/p>\n
Some may say that Ali Sadikin was trying to be more realistic,
\nand - to some extent his suggestion is reasonable, judging from
\nthe fact that the existing laws have never been enforced
\nproperly. However, if his suggestion were accepted by the city
\nadministration, the laws would all have to be revised.<\/p>\n
The MUI stance is of course acceptable from the existing
\nreligious and legal point of view.<\/p>\n
Experience has shown that banning any form of gambling has
\nbeen ineffective. But controlling it is another matter. From such
\na perspective Ali Sadikin's proposal could be considered
\n\"realistic\", in spite of the fact that many have expressed
\nobjections.<\/p>\n
Things change. And our surroundings have been changing
\nsteadily. Jakarta is moving toward a megalopolis in the region.<\/p>\n
And Singapore, one of our closest neighbors in the region is
\nconsidering establishing a casino, after long public debate.
\nWhile we in Jakarta, must admit that in reality thousands or
\nprobably millions of our citizens love gambling, whether we like
\nit or not.<\/p>\n
Within its dubiety, it is high time for the Jakarta
\nadministration to introduce a new healthy habit: Public debate. A
\nreview of the existing laws that ban gambling could become the
\nsubject of a debate, which must be arranged in a fair and sincere
\nmanner.<\/p>\n
Through open public debates, we will finally let the public
\ndecide whether they want Jakarta to be like Las Vegas, accept
\ngambling as part of the culture like China, copy Malaysia which
\nlegalizes gambling to some extent (with very strict control and
\nprofessional law enforcement), or keep banning all forms of
\ngambling, a policy that has never shown any success.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gambling-yes-or-no-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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