Gamblers have last laugh in last car

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Days after city police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani vowed to eradicate gambling in three days, gamblers on an economy-class commuter train plying the Kota-Rangkas Bitung route were making a mockery of the campaign.

The men were playing dominoes for money on the train from Kota to Banten province, which stops at Serpong, Parung Panjang, Tenjo, Tiga Raksa and Rangkas Bitung stations.

"Police! Police! Stop gambling or I will arrest you," Johan, (not his real name) said, imitating the Jakarta Police in their drive to wipe out gambling in the capital.

In the last of the eight train cars, four groups of gamblers were busy playing dominoes. Each group consisted of four players who bet Rp 2,000 (21 US cents) each per game.

Most of the players were blue collar workers with jobs in Kota, Mangga Dua, Tanjung Priok, Tanah Abang and Senen, according to Johan.

Gambling on the way home is something the men look forward to at work. From Kota to Rangkas Bitung the composition of each group changes as passengers board and get off the train.

Most economy-class passengers on that route are aware the last car is used as a "gambling den". State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) has so far not taken any action to stop the illegal activity.

National Police chief Gen. Sutanto, in a meeting at National Police Headquarters last Monday -- his first day as chief -- set a one-week deadline for regional police chiefs to eradicate gambling in their precincts.

Responding to the order, Firman Gani said last Tuesday he would eradicate gambling in the capital and its surrounding areas within three days.

Johan, a resident of the Tiga Raksa housing complex, said initially dominoes had been played to kill time.

"The trip from Tiga Raksa to Kota takes more than two hours. We are bored if there is no activity," said Johan, adding that some people lost their whole day's wages gambling on the way home.

Speaking about the tough antigambling policy, Johan questioned the police's seriousness.

In any case, he had other things on his mind. "I am sorry," he said to The Jakarta Post's journalist, "I can't talk anymore, the game is underway."