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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