Gambling dens vandalized

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)