Police to raid gambling dens

JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to respond to public calls to combat gambling operators in the capital, city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said on Saturday that crackdowns were planned in order to bust gambling dens.

"The operation (against gambling) is now being prepared and will very soon be launched," Anton said, adding the raids would not be made public.

Anton said that in the operation police would not only target gamblers but also the operators of gambling dens.

"We are not only aiming at small-time gamblers but those owning the gambling business," he said.

Gambling practices have been a recurring problem for the city police, with many overtly operating their businesses in the center of the capital. Some, however, have covered up their business by declaring their sites as nightclubs, discotheques or karaoke bars.

Anton's remark was made following reports made by several local media that alleged that city police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb and his subordinates received monthly payments from several major gambling operators in the capital for securing their business.

"The reports (made by the media) are all untrue and the city police chief himself will announce the result of the raids on gambling operators as soon as we finish our operation," Anton stressed. (emf)