MP Praises Police for Uncovering Online Gambling Den: Safeguarding Cyber Integrity
Member of Commission I of the House of Representatives from the Golkar faction, Yudha Novanza Utama, has expressed appreciation to the National Police for swiftly uncovering an online gambling (judol) operation involving 320 foreign nationals and one Indonesian national. Yudha assessed the case as a serious alarm concerning cyber security and sovereignty.
“I view the uncovering carried out by the Police as worthy of appreciation as a strategic step in maintaining the integrity of the national cyber space and preventing Indonesia from becoming a new epicentre for international online gambling networks in the region,” Yudha told reporters on Monday (11/5/2026).
Yudha assessed that the uncovering of this online gambling syndicate is not merely an issue of ordinary illegal gambling. According to him, the case has evolved into a serious issue related to cyber security and the governance of the national digital space.
“I also observe that the modus operandi of this syndicate demonstrates a highly systematic level of organisation, starting from the use of digital infrastructure, alternating domain management to avoid blocking, to exploiting gaps in cross-country mobility through international visit facilities,” he stated.
Therefore, Yudha urged a comprehensive evaluation of the supervision of cross-country digital activities. He also called for strengthened coordination among institutions in handling cross-country cyber crimes.
“This case must also serve as a momentum for a comprehensive evaluation of the supervision of cross-country digital activities, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and the effectiveness of controlling digital infrastructure used for illegal activities,” he revealed.
“I assess that it is important to strengthen synergy between law enforcement apparatus, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, PPATK, Immigration, and other related institutions, particularly in detecting suspicious transaction patterns, supervising digital traffic, and potential money laundering connected to international online gambling activities,” he added.
Previously, the National Police arrested 320 foreign nationals and one Indonesian national, an admin of online gambling, in one of the buildings on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta. The Police stated that the uncovering of this case was aimed at ensuring Indonesia does not become a den for online gambling.
The raid on the building was conducted on Thursday (7/5). As many as 320 foreign nationals and one Indonesian national were caught in the act while operating an online gambling site.
Director of General Criminal Acts (Dirtipidum) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Wira Satya Triputra, stated that this arrest represents a commitment to eradicating online gambling in Indonesia. He mentioned that the movement of online gambling is very detrimental to society and the state economy.
“We from the Republic of Indonesia National Police have a commitment to eradicate criminal acts of gambling. Both online gambling and conventional gambling because this is very detrimental to society and can harm the state economy,” Wira said as quoted on Monday (11/5).
He stated that Indonesia must not become a den of online gambling. He said that the uncovering of the case in Hayam Wuruk is one of the efforts to prevent the development of online gambling.