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.