500 ulema protest against 'Togel' in Cirebon

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.