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Prabowo tells law enforcement institutions not to assist online gambling
Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid relayed President Prabowo’s order not to assist any individual involved in online gambling.
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Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid (center) is accompanied by deputy ministers Nezar Patria (left) and Angga Raka Prabowo (right) during a working meeting with House of Representatives' Commission I at the House of Representatives building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Nov. 5, 2024. The meeting discussed the ministry's the 100-day working plan, including fighting online gambling and preparation for concurrent regional elections on Nov. 27. (Antara/Dhemas Reviyanto)
P
resident Prabowo Subianto has said that law enforcement agencies or institutions should not provide support for people behind online gambling and has emphasized that such activities should be eradicated.
The instruction was issued during a cabinet meeting at the Bina Graha presidential office on Wednesday, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said.
"It was mentioned that several institutions or agencies, such as the National Police, Attorney General's Office, the Office of Coordinating Political and Security Affairs Minister, and not just these three, all [institutions] should work together. There must be no helping individuals involved [in online gambling],” Meutya said, as reported by Antara news agency.
“This is his message, no one is allowed to provide backing or assistance in any form."
Meutya said that in his directives, Prabowo asked all ministries and institutions to unite in fighting online gambling because most of the victims were low-income people.
In addition to protecting vulnerable communities, Prabowo believes that tackling online gambling will increase Indonesia's purchasing power and strengthen its economic growth.
The Communications and Digital Ministry is working to support investigations into government officials suspected of involvement in online gambling. It has also blocked over 220,000 online gambling sites.
"As of Nov. 3, we've blocked more than 220,000 gambling sites, based on our key performance indicators," Meutya said.
Meutya emphasized that the figures reflect the ministry's commitment to fighting online gambling. However, she said that the real success lay in the ongoing improvements in the fight.
"We understand that this is just one indicator of success, because in reality, we're not counting how many we've closed, but focusing on improving moving forward," she said.
She also acknowledged that the ministry had not yet been able to audit or make systemic changes to technology due to ongoing police investigations.
"We have not been able to carry out massive system improvements because it is currently under investigation. So, please be patient. Whenever the police provide a new name, we immediately deactivate it," she said.
