Island offered to be used for gambling<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The ongoing controversy surrounding proposals to establish an
\nofficial gambling facility here has taken a new twist, with
\nKepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) Regent Abdul Kadir suggesting
\nthat one of the islands in the regency could be used for the
\npurpose.<\/p>\n
Kadir has proposed that the facility be established on Edam
\nisland, also known as Damar island, which can be reached in about
\n20 minutes by speed boat from North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The island is still empty. There is only a light tower on
\nit,\" the regent told reporters on Wednesday at the City Hall
\nafter reporting on current developments in the new regency to
\nGovernor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
The governor had earlier revealed his plan to set up an
\nofficial gambling site here amid mushrooming gambling activities
\nin the city, saying that such an initiative could contribute to
\nthe city's revenue.<\/p>\n
The administration has cooperated with the Social Structural
\nInstitute of the University of Indonesia to conduct a survey on
\nthe possibility of opening a gambling center here.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso's idea received mixed reactions from city
\ncouncillors.<\/p>\n
City council chairman Edy Waluyo supported it but other
\ncouncillors, mainly from Islamic-based political parties,
\nrejected the proposal.<\/p>\n
Councillor Lambertus Gaina Dara of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle gave the idea his backing, saying it would
\nboost the city's revenue, and recognized the reality of
\ngambling's popularity.<\/p>\n
\"I personally agree with the idea. Even though all religions
\nforbid gambling, it can never be completely eradicated,\"
\nLambertus of the council's commission E for social welfare
\naffairs said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta once legalized gambling activities, during the
\nadministration of former Governor Ali Sadikin in the 1970s. But
\ngambling was later banned throughout the country following a
\npresidential decree.<\/p>\n
Despite its name, the Thousand Islands group only consists of
\n106 islands. Forty-five of them are privately managed for use as
\ntourist resorts.<\/p>\n
Only nine of the 45 islands are used as resorts while the
\nremaining 36 are used for private purposes.<\/p>\n
Abdul Kadir also said the regency planned to call upon the
\nowners to open the islands as resorts.<\/p>\n
Among those with rights to manage the islands are publisher
\nSurya Paloh, banker Tommy Winata, former President Soeharto's
\nson, Bambang Trihatmodjo, Soeharto's half brother, and
\nProbosutedjo, as well as the families of businessman Hasyim Ning
\nand former vice president Adam Malik.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/island-offered-to-be-used-for-gambling-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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