Gambling backers disclosed

BOGOR (JP): Bogor administration spokesman Yus Herdiyus disclosed to media on Monday that five local officials allegedly backed activities in a gambling den at Jl. Siliwangi No. 23D which was raided by students earlier this month.

He said the officials were two employees of the Bogor administration's social-political affairs office and three officials from the local Regional Development Planning (Bappeda) office, Sukasari subdistrict, East Bogor.

Herdiyus, however, asked the reporters not to reveal the officials' identities to the public, requesting they comply with the principle of presumption of innocence.

"They're only thought to have been involved in the gambling operations. Do not judge them, but let the legal process run properly," he said.

The spokesman said the five had been sanctioned for their undisciplinary actions as stipulated in the 1980 Government Decree on civil servants.

"They have been given warning letters by the mayor, stating that they have been performing unsatisfactorily'. It's a heavier punishment than receiving a written or verbal notice," Herdiyus said.

"But if the court finds them guilty, they could be severely punished ... they might be fired."

A group of 80 students from five universities in Bogor raided a gambling den on Jl. Siliwangi early this month, confiscating thousands of tokens and toto coupons as well as roulette table, a list of gamblers and a total of Rp 700,000 cash in two envelopes, addressed to a subdistrict chief and a police officer. Their findings were later submitted to the police.

Gambling is illegal in this country, but a popular game is judi buntut, togel, or toto gelap, a bet based on two, three and four numbers which are released every two or three days by gambling operators.

Almost no gambling cases make it to court.

Separately on Sunday night, 50 leaders of local student, youth and mass organizations declared the establishment of the People's Action Network Against Immoral Acts (Jamak) in Bogor.

The group pledged to fight and eradicate social diseases such as gambling, drugs and prostitution.

"We cannot just sit tight and watch drugs being distributed at schools," Rudi Ginting, Jamak coordinator, said on Monday.

They also urged the administration to pose bigger sanctions against prostitutes by reviewing the 1990 regional decree on social order.

"Currently a prostitute can only be charged with a maximum Rp 50,000 fine or a three-month imprisonment," Rudi said. (24/edt)