Big gambling centers left untouched
Big gambling centers left untouched
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Raids on gambling dens have started in the capital, but the
public at large complained Wednesday that police were only
targeting small-time gamblers.
Ara, 37, a resident of Kota Bambu Utara, West Jakarta, said
police raided two small gambling dens in the neighborhood, but
turned a blind eye to gambling dens in buildings in their area.
"There are many other bigger gambling places in this area. Why
didn't they shut them all down? I am afraid this move is only a
gimmick and after several weeks the gambling dens will be back,"
Ara said to The Jakarta Post.
Ara helped police from West Jakarta precinct raid gambling
dens in Kota Bambu Utara on Tuesday afternoon soon after city
police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani ordered his precinct and
subprecinct chiefs to close down all gambling dens in their
respective areas within three days.
A total of 15 gambling dens in Kemanggisan, Tanjung Duren,
Pedongkelan, and Cengkareng have been raided, with police
detaining dozens of gamblers since Tuesday.
However, police seemed to have only targeted small-time
gamblers, raiding gambling dens in small neighborhoods and
arresting agents of illegal numbers rackets known as togel.
In North Jakarta, an area with a high number of big gambling
dens in the capital, only eight jackpot and roulette machines
were confiscated and no big-time gamblers were arrested.
In Central Jakarta, several machines from household gambling
dens were confiscated but big casinos along Jl. Gajah Mada and in
Lokasari were left untouched.
A gambler who requested anonymity told the Post Wednesday that
he was still gambling at one of Central Jakarta's five-star
hotels on Tuesday evening.
"What raids? I still play at my favorite place yesterday and
today. I don't know about tomorrow, but I doubt the police have
the guts to raid big gambling dens in hotels," he said.
Data from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) showed
that there were at least 27 big gambling dens in the capital.
In Tangerang, virtually all billiard places, suspected of
being used as gambling places, on Jl. Imam Bonjol, Jl. Beringin
Raya Karawaci and Taman Cibodas housing complex were closed on
Wednesday.
Tangerang police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Raja Erizman promised
that all gambling dens in his jurisdiction would be closed down
and that the owners would be arrested.
Meanwhile, Bekasi precinct chief Sr. Comr. Edwardsyah Prenong
and East Jakarta precinct chief Sr. Comr. Anang both said that
they had closed down all gambling dens in their areas. However,
there were no reports of any arrests of big-time gamblers on
Wednesday.
A senior police officer at the Jakarta police headquarters,
meanwhile, said that all the raids were half-hearted efforts with
police chiefs only aiming to save their positions without really
intending to eradicate gambling.
"For a long time many police chiefs have received money from
casino owners. So, they inform owners before any raids. Many
owners temporarily close down their gambling dens, and after the
public forget, they open up again," he told the Post.