Gambling Localization

Gambling Localization

From Media Indonesia

News stories on the plan to localize gambling activities have
recently been reported in the mass media. The Jakarta governor
intends to legalize and localize gambling in the Thousand
Islands.

The regent of the Thousand islands, but only a handful of
councillors, have welcomed the plan. Some entrepreneurs have
already submitted their proposals to the governor for investing
in and managing casinos.

The proposal of the Jakarta governor and Thousand Islands'
regent is highly suspect as gambling, which is forbidden by
religious norms and the law of the land, will be facilitated. The
activities of gamblers, which by rights should be eradicated, are
now to be legalized.

By contrast, employment as a pedicab driver, which is said to
be inhuman but is allowed by religious teachings, will be
prohibited on the pretext of maintaining public order in the
city. There is no more localization for pedicabs. However, it is
clear that pedicab drivers are ordinary people who should be
helped and facilitated as far as possible. Furthermore, pedicab
drivers provide a valuable service to middle to lower income city
residents who have no car to bring them to the market, for
instance. So, pedicab drivers should be given priority for
localization.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to call on the
governor to heed the fate of not only gamblers but also pedicab
drivers.

ABDUL SALAM

Jakarta