Operator claims police ordered gambling clampdown

Operator claims police ordered gambling clampdown

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The month-long closure of illegal casino centers operating as
amusement centers or recreation centers in downtown Kota, West
Jakarta, 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.

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".

However, the closure of illegal casinos 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. Gadjah
Mada, Central Jakarta.

"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?"