Illegal lotteries

Illegal lotteries

From Republika

Don't bother to fight drugs, prostitution and gambling in
Bandung. Why? Because illegal lotteries (togel) are rampant in
the region, even during the fasting month. No one can stop this
form of illegal gambling. The Bandung regional administration and
the police pretend not to know realize that togel is a form of
gambling and hence illegal. The Indonesian Council of Ulemas and
other religious institutions have yet to issue a ruling
concerning togel.

Even modern Islamic boarding schools, which are usually active
in fighting against illegal acts, simply remain quiet about the
issue as if in a dormant state.

Just imagine, these togel, which are operated out in the open
and are obviously illegal, can't be eliminated. What can we
expect the authorities to do about drugs, prostitution and
gambling, illegal activities that are more difficult to detect
and thus stop? What is going on here? Are all of the people
responsible for dealing with these matters actually involved in
them?

This lack of seriousness and attention on the part of
bureaucrats, officials and spiritual leaders may eventually lead
to an enraged public. If we consider the matter further, this
lack of response from bureaucrats, officials and community
leaders will eventually become organized or institutionalized
provocation, albeit unintentionally. So are they provocateurs?
People taking the law into their own hands is a crime, but it is
a logical consequence of poor law enforcement and a lack of a
sense of justice.

ANDREA HYNAN POELOENGAN

Bandung