Housewives support anti-gambling campaign

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Housewives in Medan have warmly welcomed the nationwide movement against gambling. Interviewed separately, the housewives said that gambling had made their husbands gambling addicts and their habit had adversely affected the households.

Suhartini, 34, a housewife living in the Durian area here, revealed that since her husband became deeply involved in gambling three years ago, she found out that her household kicthen budget was often cut. In a day, she used to receive Rp 20,000 (US$2), but since her husband regularly placed bets on illegal numbers racket (togel), she now only received Rp 15,000.

"I strongly agree that all gambling dens be closed down forever," she told The Jakarta Post.

She said that her husband, a minibus driver, was an avid gambler. Everyday, after returning home from work, her husband would study the togel forecasts that he got from dream books, such as Joyoboyo Fortune-Telling book. Joyoboyo is a famous Javanese fortune teller. Living in 17th century, he predicted that Japan would attack and rule Java island, and the prediction later materialized.

Another housewife, Reihna Sembiring, expressed similar complaints. Not only was her kitchen budget cut after her husband became involved in gambling, but her husband, who started playing togel a year ago, also often treated her roughly if his bet failed. "If his bet fails, he behaves badly. Whatever I do, it will be wrong," said Reihna, a resident in Pasar II, Padang Bulan area in Medan.

According to Reihna, her husband, who is a civil servant, often would go to a coffee shop near their home to discuss the togel numbers with other avid gamblers. But, she said she was relieved that her husband stopped gambling a week ago. "He stopped betting as the togel bookies closed up shop after the Medan police decided to crack down on gambling," she explained.

Many gambling centers in Medan were closed down over the past week, ever since the chief of the National Police, Gen. Sutanto, declared a nationwide war on gambling. Similarly, many lottery agents had also ceased operations, including Karsiman, 37. Karsiman had to stop selling togel tickets because he now fears he could be arrested.

"I stopped selling tickets three days ago," said Karsiman, who has been a bookie for two years.