Foundation plans to open casino in Seribu Islands

Foundation plans to open casino in Seribu Islands

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Puncak, West Java

Jakarta's Seribu Islands regency may eventually become a haven
for gamblers as a number of investors have proposed to the
regency that they be allowed to open casinos.

Seribu Islands Regent Abdul Kadir revealed here on Wednesday
that one particular investor had even submitted a written
proposal to his office.

"Yes, several investors have expressed their plans verbally to
me. But only one investor has officially proposed managing a
casino on one of the islands," Kadir told reporters on the
sidelines of a Jakarta Legislative Council meeting here.

He refused to disclose the investor, and only said that it was
a foundation based in Jakarta.

The foundation, he said, had put all the details in its
proposal such as envisioned revenue-sharing with the regency and
the city, and even the requirements for prospective gamblers.

The gamblers, according to the proposal, would be required to
deposit at least Rp 10 million (US$1,000) and should have a
membership card so as to avoid "ordinary" people entering the
casino.

"I have informed local residents that in the near future there
will be (legalized) gambling on the islands. And they have no
objection," he claimed.

He revealed that casinos would be built on one or two islands
out of 45 islands currently owned by private companies and
individuals.

Nine of the 45 islands are currently used as resorts while the
remaining 36 islands are deserted or used for private purposes,
even though the owners' permits are for tourism.

Islands currently used as resorts include Matahari, Ayer,
Bidadari, Pantara and Putri islands.

Kadir indicated that the island which would most probably host
a casino was one located around Panjang island, which has an
airstrip for light planes and helicopters.

The Seribu Islands consists of 110 islands, of which only 11
islands are inhabited. The total population of the 11 islands is
almost 15,000 people, mostly poor fishermen.

The idea to open a casino in the Seribu Islands regency was
first floated by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso last year amid the
mushrooming of illegal gambling dens in the city.

Localizing gambling activities is expected to increase the
city's revenue since the current illegal gambling dens are
believed to pay contributions to certain officials and security
personnel as protection money.

According to a recent survey conducted by the city
administration in cooperation with the Structural Development
Institute of the University of Indonesia, most Jakartans have no
objection to the idea of legalizing gambling in a designated
location.

The plan for a casino on an island in the Seribu Islands
regency was earlier supported by Jakarta Legislative Council
speaker Edy Waluyo and several political parties, such as the
largest Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

A number of Jakarta councillors even went on a comparative
study trip to the Genting Highlands gambling center in Malaysia
last year.

As expected, however, some Muslim-based parties rejected the
plan.

The Indonesian Ulemas' Council (MUI) also rejected the idea of
opening a casino.

According to the Criminal Code, gambling is illegal unless it
is permitted by the authorities. A presidential decree banned
gambling across the country.

Governor Sutiyoso, nevertheless, said earlier that his
administration planned to ask the central government to allow
Jakarta to legalize casinos.