Strange logic<\/p>\n
Gambling has became the center of attention these last few
\ndays, because of Sutiyoso's plan to open a gambling center. This
\nis a welcome change from the boring daily news about
\ndemonstrations, fights among politicians, killings, robberies,
\ncorruption, etc.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post's April 12 edition reported that the Governor
\nof Jakarta Sutiyoso acknowledged that gambling could not be
\nbanned completely, therefore it would be better to open a legal
\ngambling center. I personally find this a strange way of
\nthinking.<\/p>\n
Why did Sutiyoso also mention Malaysia which had localized
\ngambling, in spite of the fact that the majority of the
\npopulation is Muslim? What is the logic of following Malaysia's
\nexample?<\/p>\n
During the tenure of Ali Sadikin as governor, there was a
\nlegal gambling hall with a restricted entrance. Only people with
\nforeign passports were allowed to enter this hall, but in
\nreality law enforcing officials participated in the gambling. And
\nthese are the people who are protecting these gambling activities
\nand pocketing money (tax free!) to enjoy life. The President
\nultimately called the governor and the attorney general and
\ninstructed them to take steps to close the gambling hall in the
\ntown.<\/p>\n
When I was consul general in Singapore, I had (around 1961) an
\ninformal talk with the deputy prime minister and the minister of
\nfinance of Singapore, about the possibility of opening a gambling
\ncenter on one of Indonesia's islands close to Singapore.<\/p>\n
The plan was to find an isolated small island quite close to
\nSingapore and then Singapore will organize transportation (a
\nluxury ship) to and from that gambling island and help build a
\nhotel with gambling facilities. I reported this through Nasution,
\nthe presidential secretary, and asked for the president's
\nopinion.<\/p>\n
I borrowed a custom's patrol boat and with the two ministers
\nwent to a small island which was considered good and ideal, as it
\nwas not too far from Singapore and had its own fresh water
\nresources, which was considered vital.<\/p>\n
After a while I heard from Pak Nasution that because of the
\nobjections from the Indonesian Muslim community the president had
\ndecided not to allow the project to proceed.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is not going to welcome any gambling activity,
\nalthough it can generate money for the nation. The way we get the
\nmoney is more important than the money itself.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/strange-logic-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }