Operator claims police ordered casino closure
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Since earlier this month, illegal casino centers operating as amusement centers or recreation centers in downtown Kota, West Jakarta, have been temporarily closed down.
The closure was ordered by the National Police Headquarters, said one of the gambling operators.
Wei Tan, not his real name, who owns several illegal gambling dens, told The Jakarta Post over the weekend that he had no idea the reason for the closure.
"Two weeks before the heated news of the city administration's plan to open casinos in the Thousands Islands, the National Police ordered us to close the gambling dens temporarily until further notice," Wei said.
"Surprisingly, all gambling operators have obeyed the order, which shows that the National Police has a strong influence because it's the first time all gambling operators have followed such an order."
However, Wei was suspicious that there was another reason behind the order to close down. He alleged that a new, powerful gambling operator, who is close to the authorities, will soon begin operating. But he did not give details.
"We have asked for an explanation from the authorities, but to no avail. It's the first time we have found ourselves toothless," said Wei, who has been involved in the business for 20 years and has joined several gambling consortia in the city.
Wei said many gambling operators are worried they will not be able to reopen their business if the administration allows casinos to open in the Thousands Islands.
The illegal casinos provided various games, including roulette, slot machines, baccarat and blackjack.
Even though those places, which targeted the affluent, were closed down, many people were seen gambling at the roadside without any fear of being raided by the authorities.
Sources at Jakarta City Hall had earlier confirmed the temporarily closure was triggered by a "war" between corrupt military and police officers, who back the illegal business.
A study from the University of Indonesia reported that officers receive at least Rp 150 million (US$16,000) from one casino a night as "protection money".
The police refused to give any comment on the closure of the illegal casinos.
However, it has not only worried businessmen but also people working there, including security guards.
One of the guards, Jajang, said he still had no idea when he would be back at work again.
Jajang and his five friends were among 300 people living in the neighborhood near Jl. Penataran, Central Jakarta, who used to earn a living at the illegal gambling dens.
"I now have to depend upon my family and on other people's charity. I felt indebted. By working every day, I was able to give my three children money to go to school. Now I'm terribly sad because I am not able to feed them," groaned Jajang, who used to work at the Kunir II casino on Jl. Kunir, West Jakarta.
The junior high school graduate used to earn at least Rp 1.1 million (US$117.5) a month.
"Because I haven't had much education, it's hard for me to get a decent job. At Kunir we didn't receive an allowance or insurance because the place itself was illegal," said Jajang, who has been working in Kunir for three years.
"I call on the city administration and the police to legalize gambling as the casinos employ unskilled and low-educated people like me."
Similar gloom was also expressed by Nana, a 24-year-old security guard at the Malioboro Amusement Center on Jl. Gajah Mada.
"The center was closed last month because of the controversy surrounding the administration's plan to build casinos in the Thousands Islands. I am jobless now," he said.
"I have to extort money from bus drivers at Manggarai bus station to support my parents. What other job can I do?"