Firman pledges to curb gambling

JAKARTA: City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said on Sunday he was prepared to sign a pledge to new National Police chief Gen. Sutanto on curbing gambling.

"I will stop big and small gambling operations, including illegal lotteries (togel)," he said.

Firman said he would also require police chiefs at the precinct and subprecinct levels to sign pledges to curb gambling in their areas.

"I will, for example, order a precinct chief to sign a contract to curb gambling. If he fails to do so then I will propose that he be replaced," he said.

Gambling has spread to many neighborhoods in the capital over the last several years. Many observers have accused the police of protecting gambling operations. --JP