Gambling dens vandalized

TANGERANG (JP): More than one hundred angry residents damaged four stalls in Pinang subdistrict here on Sunday night as they were believed to have been used as gambling dens.

The residents gathered along Jl. Hasyim Ashari in Cipondoh at about 7 p.m., expressing their dissatisfaction over mushrooming gambling activities locally known as hwa-hwe.

The people then marched to a stall near Kali Angke bridge in Pinang subdistrict that was allegedly used to sell the hwa-hwe coupons.

The stall owner managed to escape upon seeing the approaching crowd, who later stoned and damaged the semi-permanent building.

Another group of residents moved to another stall which was also believed to have been used for the same activities near Pinang Griya housing complex and a nearby stall behind Pinang subdistrict office. They also damaged the two facilities.

A number of soldiers and police officers arrived at the scenes and managed to deter the residents from moving on and damaging other similar buildings.

According to Asmawi, a resident of the Pinang subdistrict, the angry people complained about the existence of the alleged gambling dens.

"If we let the gambling go on, it will ruin religious values in the Pinang area," Asmawi said.

He said the residents have complained about the gambling dens to the local authority but they received unsatisfactory responses.

Tangerang mayoralty spokesman Said Endrowiyanto insisted the residents' action was an expression of their anger over the gambling dens.

He said that the mayoralty never issued permits for the operation of the gambling dens.

"We've told related parties not to give a 'green light' to gambling dens to prevent residents from becoming angry in the future," he added. (41/jun)