Forget plan to establish gambling den, Sutiyoso says

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Pramuka island, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso rejected on Sunday the possibility that he might continue his plan to build gambling centers in Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) regency even though he would most probably be reelected in the next gubernatorial election.

"We have closed the debate on gambling centers in Kepulauan Seribu. Many people have expressed their objection to the plan," Sutiyoso told The Jakarta Post after attending the Marine Fiesta at Pramuka island, Kepulauan Seribu regency.

He said the city administration would intensify efforts to secure income from taxes, instead of gaining revenue from gambling centers.

Asked whether he would continue the plan of gambling localization if he were reelected, Sutiyoso said, "No, I would not. We will earn income from taxes."

Regent Abdul Kadir supported Sutiyoso's statement, saying the regency would concentrate on tourism, especially that based on culture, instead of a planned gambling center.

"We will secure incomes from hotel and restaurant taxes; forget gambling centers," Kadir told the Post.

Kadir earlier revealed his regency had received many proposals from foreign and domestic investors to build casinos in the regency, which has 110 islands.

He predicted that the city administration could secure revenue totaling Rp 1 trillion (US$111 million) per year from gambling centers.

Jakarta's 2002 budget totals Rp 9.3 trillion, of which almost 75 percent was gained from vehicle taxes.

Kadir's statement was supported by Sutiyoso, who said that localizing gambling offshore was better than allowing it to become established uncontrolled on the mainland.

But many city councillors, mostly from Islamic parties, rejected the idea. They said they would reject Sutiyoso's accountability speech because the governor had attempted to legalize gambling.

According to the Criminal Code, gambling is illegal unless it is expressly permitted by the authorities.

Regency development agency head Mara Oloan Siregar revealed that hotel and restaurant taxes from island resorts were projected to reach Rp 1 billion this year.

"We hope, by holding cultural events like today's, our income could double next year," Siregar said.

He added the regency had spent Rp 100 million on the fiesta, as many island resorts had also supported various events within it.

At least 45 foreign guests, including diplomats and tourists, from Germany, Australia, Italy, Japan, the United States, France, Bosnia-Herzegovina or just Bosnia? and Russia were invited to see the event.

The foreign and domestic guests departed from Marina beach Ancol, North Jakarta, and arrived at Pramuka island in three speed boats. Sutiyoso and his wife Setyorini traveled to the island by helicopter.

The one-day fiesta featured Betawi (Jakarta native) dancing and Tanjidor (traditional music and parade of decorated traditional boats).