Administration is halting gambling in Pluit: Official
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)