Strange logic

Strange logic

Gambling has became the center of attention these last few
days, because of Sutiyoso's plan to open a gambling center. This
is a welcome change from the boring daily news about
demonstrations, fights among politicians, killings, robberies,
corruption, etc.

The Jakarta Post's April 12 edition reported that the Governor
of Jakarta Sutiyoso acknowledged that gambling could not be
banned completely, therefore it would be better to open a legal
gambling center. I personally find this a strange way of
thinking.

Why did Sutiyoso also mention Malaysia which had localized
gambling, in spite of the fact that the majority of the
population is Muslim? What is the logic of following Malaysia's
example?

During the tenure of Ali Sadikin as governor, there was a
legal gambling hall with a restricted entrance. Only people with
foreign passports were allowed to enter this hall, but in
reality law enforcing officials participated in the gambling. And
these are the people who are protecting these gambling activities
and pocketing money (tax free!) to enjoy life. The President
ultimately called the governor and the attorney general and
instructed them to take steps to close the gambling hall in the
town.

When I was consul general in Singapore, I had (around 1961) an
informal talk with the deputy prime minister and the minister of
finance of Singapore, about the possibility of opening a gambling
center on one of Indonesia's islands close to Singapore.

The plan was to find an isolated small island quite close to
Singapore and then Singapore will organize transportation (a
luxury ship) to and from that gambling island and help build a
hotel with gambling facilities. I reported this through Nasution,
the presidential secretary, and asked for the president's
opinion.

I borrowed a custom's patrol boat and with the two ministers
went to a small island which was considered good and ideal, as it
was not too far from Singapore and had its own fresh water
resources, which was considered vital.

After a while I heard from Pak Nasution that because of the
objections from the Indonesian Muslim community the president had
decided not to allow the project to proceed.

Indonesia is not going to welcome any gambling activity,
although it can generate money for the nation. The way we get the
money is more important than the money itself.

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