Operator claims police ordered casino closure<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Since earlier this month, illegal casino centers operating as
\namusement centers or recreation centers in downtown Kota, West
\nJakarta, have been temporarily closed down.<\/p>\n
The closure was ordered by the National Police Headquarters,
\nsaid one of the gambling operators.<\/p>\n
Wei Tan, not his real name, who owns several illegal gambling
\ndens, told The Jakarta Post over the weekend that he had no idea
\nthe reason for the closure.<\/p>\n
\"Two weeks before the heated news of the city administration's
\nplan to open casinos in the Thousands Islands, the National
\nPolice ordered us to close the gambling dens temporarily until
\nfurther notice,\" Wei said.<\/p>\n
\"Surprisingly, all gambling operators have obeyed the order,
\nwhich shows that the National Police has a strong influence
\nbecause it's the first time all gambling operators have followed
\nsuch an order.\"<\/p>\n
However, Wei was suspicious that there was another reason
\nbehind the order to close down. He alleged that a new, powerful
\ngambling operator, who is close to the authorities, will soon
\nbegin operating. But he did not give details.<\/p>\n
\"We have asked for an explanation from the authorities, but to
\nno avail. It's the first time we have found ourselves toothless,\"
\nsaid Wei, who has been involved in the business for 20 years and
\nhas joined several gambling consortia in the city.<\/p>\n
Wei said many gambling operators are worried they will not be
\nable to reopen their business if the administration allows
\ncasinos to open in the Thousands Islands.<\/p>\n
The illegal casinos provided various games, including
\nroulette, slot machines, baccarat and blackjack.<\/p>\n
Even though those places, which targeted the affluent, were
\nclosed down, many people were seen gambling at the roadside
\nwithout any fear of being raided by the authorities.<\/p>\n
Sources at Jakarta City Hall had earlier confirmed the
\ntemporarily closure was triggered by a \"war\" between corrupt
\nmilitary and police officers, who back the illegal business.<\/p>\n
A study from the University of Indonesia reported that
\nofficers receive at least Rp 150 million (US$16,000) from one
\ncasino a night as \"protection money\".<\/p>\n
The police refused to give any comment on the closure of the
\nillegal casinos.<\/p>\n
However, it has not only worried businessmen but also people
\nworking there, including security guards.<\/p>\n
One of the guards, Jajang, said he still had no idea when he
\nwould be back at work again.<\/p>\n
Jajang and his five friends were among 300 people living in
\nthe neighborhood near Jl. Penataran, Central Jakarta, who used to
\nearn a living at the illegal gambling dens.<\/p>\n
\"I now have to depend upon my family and on other people's
\ncharity. I felt indebted. By working every day, I was able to
\ngive my three children money to go to school. Now I'm terribly
\nsad because I am not able to feed them,\" groaned Jajang, who used
\nto work at the Kunir II casino on Jl. Kunir, West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The junior high school graduate used to earn at least Rp 1.1
\nmillion (US$117.5) a month.<\/p>\n
\"Because I haven't had much education, it's hard for me to get
\na decent job. At Kunir we didn't receive an allowance or
\ninsurance because the place itself was illegal,\" said Jajang, who
\nhas been working in Kunir for three years.<\/p>\n
\"I call on the city administration and the police to legalize
\ngambling as the casinos employ unskilled and low-educated people
\nlike me.\"<\/p>\n
Similar gloom was also expressed by Nana, a 24-year-old
\nsecurity guard at the Malioboro Amusement Center on Jl. Gajah
\nMada.<\/p>\n
\"The center was closed last month because of the controversy
\nsurrounding the administration's plan to build casinos in the
\nThousands Islands. I am jobless now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I have to extort money from bus drivers at Manggarai bus
\nstation to support my parents. What other job can I do?\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/operator-claims-police-ordered-casino-closure-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}