Administration is halting gambling in Pluit: Official

JAKARTA (JP): An official dismissed on Friday allegations that the city administration did not take action against rampant gambling in the Pluit area of North Jakarta.

"We tore down one building and revoked the cooperation agreement with a tenant for violating a building permit. We've also sealed off two other buildings," Thamrin Djamain, the director of the city's jointly owned urban developer company, PT Pembangunan Pluit Jaya, announced at City Hall.

"Actually, their licenses only allow them to operate billiard tables, locally known as bola ketangkasan, but they misused it by hosting gambling activities," he said.

PT Pembangunan Pluit Jaya manages some 2,600 hectares in a concession under its authority. But it only has some 30 hectares of its own.

Thamrin said the demolished building was the Pluit Plaza building, while the two sealed-off buildings were Lucky Star and Puja Mami.

"We have warned the Lucky Star owner, Rudi Wijaya, and Puja Mami owner Iwan Sujono not to even try running a pool hall in Pluit," he said, while citing that he had been sending warning letters since December.

"The game is legal but no one can guarantee they won't turn it into gambling," Thamrin added, while providing the grounds for issuing the warnings.

He also said Iwan tried to acquire licenses to run a pool hall despite the warnings.

"Iwan has preliminary licenses from the City Public Order Office and the city police, but he has yet to acquire a license from the City Tourism Agency. It's clear he's a defiant person," he said.

"I have sent a letter to the agency asking it not to issue a license," he added, while insisting that he would not cooperate with any investor who runs the game.

When asked why he did not revoke the licenses immediately or seal-off the premises, Thamrin said he had to follow procedures.

"I have to respect the agreement, and there are also business ethics that I have to comply to," he said.

"Only after sending out warnings can I take stern measures. But I have to coordinate with other agencies to do that," he added, while referring to the city police, local administrations and the City Public Order Office.

City councillors have repeatedly questioned Governor Sutiyoso over the gambling issue in Pluit, which has been technically managed by the city administration through the company.

Sutiyoso, in return, has repeatedly said the building where gambling occurred was demolished, while regretting the councillors who were not following the developments.

"Why do the councillors keep asking about that gambling den in Pluit? I ordered the officials to close it down. They even tore it down. What more do they want?" he asked.

"The councillors should inspect the place for themselves," the governor added. (nvn)