500 ulema protest against 'Togel' in Cirebon

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java

Hundreds of ulema and community leaders lodged a protest here on Monday against the popular illegal lottery locally known as Togel in Cirebon, West Java.

They demanded that police immediately crack down on the lottery before Indonesian Muslims start fasting on Oct. 26.

"We cannot tolerate any gambling, including Togel. There is no reason at all to justify such sinful practices to continue," said chairman of Cirebon's Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) Syarief Muhammad Yahya, who led the protest.

"We ask the police and the local government to address the problem seriously," he added.

Syarief said the illegal lottery could make gamblers fall into deeper debt that would lead them to commit more serious crimes.

"Gambling can ruin morals and can lead to harsher crimes, such as robbery and even murder. We have to prevent this. Wiping out all forms of gambling is the only way," he asserted.

The protesting ulema, numbering around 500 from Islamic boarding schools in Cirebon, are extremely worried about the mushrooming of Togel throughout the city, saying it would damage the minds of its 2.4 million residents.

"Generally, most Cirebon residents are middle and low income earners. That means there are more poor people than rich. We do not want their quality of life to deteriorate further with gambling," Syarief said.

After lodging their protest with the local police, the demonstrators held a prayer service at At-Taqwa Grand Mosque in Cirebon, which was attended by thousands of people.

In response, Cirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Siswandi and Regent Subardi promised to crack down on Togel in the city. "We will follow up this demand," Siswandi said.

"Mark my words. I will revoke the permits of businesses or entertainment centers found to offer gambling facilities. There will be no forgiveness," Subardi said.

Last Friday, around 60 Muslim clerics and dozens of community leaders staged a similar rally at Banyumas Legislative Council in Central Java to demand that Togel be stopped.