Muslim clerics join fight against gambling
Muslim clerics join fight against gambling
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon, Jawa Barat
The fight against gambling in Cirebon, West Java has gained
support from Muslim clerics after Governor Danny Setiawan
declared that the practice had no place in the province.
The support came from Cirebon Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)
chairman Syarief Muhammad, Indonesian Ulema Forum chairman Salim
Badjri as well as Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Adib Rofiuddin Iz'za.
Several raids on gambling dens have also been conducted by the
clerics with their supporters, who are demanding that police help
them stop widespread gambling in the area.
"We see no serious actions taken by the police so we have to
pressure them," Adib said on Wednesday.
The clerics' action gained a positive response from the heads
of regencies and cities, with Indramayu Regent Irrianto MS
Syafiuddin promising Rp 2.5 million (US$277) for those who could
capture a big gambling boss in Indramayu.
"We will provide a reward to encourage people to actively
assist in fighting gambling. I'll give it if there's a big
gambling boss arrested," Irrianto said.
In Cirebon city, deputy mayor Agus Al Wafier lead raids on
entertainment spots suspected of offering gambling facilities. He
promised to immediately close down such entertainment spots.
"We don't want entertainment spots being used as a cover for
gambling dens. I'll make sure that if any of them are guilty of
offering gambling facilities, we'll close them right away," Agus
said.
In Cirebon regency, residents and students protested against
the widespread gambling in the regency.
Responding to the protest, Cirebon Regent Dedi Supardi denied
accusations that he had done nothing to fight gambling, saying he
had ordered his officials to be actively involved in the fight
against gambling.
Meanwhile, the police acknowledged they were having trouble in
fighting gambling due to limited personnel.
"For us, fighting gambling is a priority, but we also need
people's support. We'll make sure the police work extra hard to
fight gambling in our area," Cirebon Police chief, Sr. Comr.
Loekito said.
Observation by The Jakarta Post found that the effort to stop
gambling practice was intensive in several northern coastal areas
in West Java, especially in Cirebon regency and municipality as
well as in Indramayu and Majalengka regencies.
In those areas, gambling is widespread, especially lottery and
gambling machines.
Lottery tickets, for instance, could be found in almost every
part of Majalengka, with around 250 agents selling lottery
tickets with the sales centered in Rajagaluh area. The most
popular lottery tickets were those with Pacuan Kuda and Jaya
trademarks.
Lottery tickets are mostly sold in bus terminals and other
busy spots like marketplaces or train stations. But now, they are
also sold in remote villages, and even near schools. Ironically,
the tickets were sold openly, while previously, such activities
were done behind closed doors.
Head of the Cirebon Indonesian Ulema Forum (FUI), Salim
Badjri, attributed the openness of the practice to support from
security officials.
"I'm certain there are some police officers who support those
agents who sell lottery tickets," he said.
According to the existing law, all forms of gambling are a
crime. Those who break the law will be sentenced to a maximum of
10 years in prison or fined up to Rp 10 million.
However, it is a public knowledge that the police themselves
often protect the illegal businesses to supplement their income.