Housewives support anti-gambling campaign
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.
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.