Sutiyoso orders war against gambling

Sutiyoso orders war against gambling

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso instructed city officials on
Tuesday to seal any buildings belonging to the city
administration which have reportedly been used as gambling
arenas.

"I telephoned my subordinates today to close any gambling dens
located in city-owned buildings," Sutiyoso told reporters at City
Hall.

He said the closure of the buildings, including those located
in Pluit and Penjaringan subdistricts, North Jakarta, would be
effective as of Tuesday.

When asked why he did not stop gambling activities in places
operated by private businesspeople, the governor said it was the
responsibility of the police to carry out those tasks.

"The police should handle gambling activities as stipulated in
the Criminal Code.

"What we (government) can do is close the buildings, but
actions to handle the crime rest with the police," he said.

Four party factions at Jakarta City Council urged Sutiyoso on
Monday to stop increasing gambling activities in the city and
halt rampant drug abuse.

The factions were the National Awakening Party (PKB), the
Justice and Unity Party (PKP), the United Party (PP) and the
Unity in Diversity Party (PBI), which also alleged that some city
buildings were used as gambling dens.

Sutiyoso pledged on Tuesday that he would strive for the
return of law and order to the city after he concentrated on
securing the General Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR).

He said he would pursue measures to organize street vendors,
end gambling activities and prostitution and to rearrange
buildings located in greenbelts.

"But do not ever think that I will arbitrarily carry out the
tasks just because it's the right thing to do. We'll take a
humanitarian approach to settle all these problems," he said.

The governor promised that he would take stern action against
any city officials who were involved in corruption and collusion.

"I will always remind city officials to serve the public. I'll
no longer tolerate corruption and collusion here," he said.

He called on city officials to improve public service, asking
them to stop taking illegal levies.

"With a planned and integrated action to restore public order,
I hope Jakarta will become a civilized city." (jun)