Tourism body offers islands for gambling
JAKARTA (JP): The Thousand Islands Marine Tourism Association has offered two islands as possible sites for localized gambling activities, the association's chief said on Tuesday.
Djafar Tirtosentono said the offer for Thousand Islands, a chain north of Jakarta in the Java Sea, was a response to Governor Sutiyoso's recent remarks.
Answering reporters' questions on New Year's Eve about rampant gambling dens operating illegally in the capital, Sutiyoso said his administration was considering the possibility of "isolating" them like in the Genting Highlands in Malaysia.
"We informed officials of the city administration about the offer in a meeting at the city tourism agency last week. An official proposal will be submitted to the governor, probably after the Idul Fitri celebration," Djafar said.
He expected the offer might be accepted forthwith to allow gambling operations to commence after the June 7 general election.
City councilors and religious leaders have ardently opposed official sanctioning of gambling. Djafar argued that in a time when the city was finding it difficult to gain revenue, "we should search for innovations to increase the city revenue then".
He compared the situation with neighboring Malaysia.
"I will also hold talks with religious leaders, possibly after the Idul Fitri celebration, to discuss the matter. They should be informed that in a country like Malaysia, where Islam plays a greater role than here, localized gambling is permitted."
In his Dec. 31 comments, Sutiyoso complained that city public order officials found it "very difficult" to eradicate gambling dens.
City Council Speaker Edy Waluyo said several city councilors had recently met with Muslim and non-Muslim leaders to discuss the matter.
"The council has suggested that the city administration send selected preachers to Malaysia after the Idul Fitri holiday to talk with their Malaysian counterparts about the issue of gambling, among other things," Edy said.
Several days after Sutiyoso's comments, city councilors roundly denounced the proposal, saying the governor seemed to be unaware gambling is illegal in Indonesia.
A source said on Monday some of the councilors visited Malaysia last week.
Djafar named the two islands as 7.8-hectare Putri Barat and 7.7-hectare Bintang. They were judged the best sites because they are located in the center of the chain, about a two-hour boat ride from the North Jakarta coast.
A new air strip at nearby Panjang island will also be in operation soon, he added.
Strict criteria will be recommended to screen prospective gamblers.
"The place, for example, will specially be designed for foreigners holding official passports or Indonesians who are able to put down a Rp 100 million deposit."
Djafar stressed the guidelines were tentative and "the administration can still revise them".
He believed gambling locations would have a beneficial effect on other aspects of tourism, like increasing the hotel occupancy rate, currently averaging 10 percent.
Localized gambling locations is preferable, he said, to unchecked dens across the capital. It would also stop capital flight from Indonesians gambling overseas.
"That's why we suggest the gambling tax is set at 50 percent from total winnings," Djafar said. (ind)