Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Eleven staffs of Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) were arrested by Jakarta police in connection with alleged involvement in online gambling operations and abuse of authority. The suspects allegedly protected approximately 1,000 gambling websites from government-mandated blocking in exchange for bribes totaling billions of rupiah.
Jakarta Police’s Director of General Crime, Senior Commissioner Wira Satya Triputra, reported on Saturday, November 2, that 14 individuals had been detained and formally named suspects. Among them, 11 are Komdigi employees, and the remaining three are civilians.
“Today, we have detained 14 suspects, and our investigation will continue as we seize assets connected to the suspects,” Triputra said.
Jakarta Police spokesperson Ade Ary Syam Indradi disclosed that the arrested Komdigi staff had the authority to monitor and block illegal websites, including gambling sites. However, this authority was allegedly misused to shield certain gambling operators they had connections with.
“They misused their authority by selectively blocking sites, allowing those they knew personally to evade restrictions,” police spokesperson Ade Ary Syam Indradi said on Friday. The suspects claimed they protected certain gambling sites without the knowledge of the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
One suspect admitted to earning billions of rupiah by shielding online gambling sites, according to statements made during a police search of a so-called “satellite office.” The building, which had been rented as a covert operational base, was allegedly used by the suspects to coordinate their activities.
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According to statements by the suspects, of the 5,000 gambling sites targeted for blocking, around 1,000 were “protected” to evade restrictions. They reportedly received 8.5 million rupiah per website safeguarded from blocking. With 1,000 sites allegedly under their protection, their profits could have reached as high as Rp8.5 billion (about $540,000).
Ministry Response
In response to the case, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), Meutya Hafid, announced that her ministry would take firm disciplinary action against any employees involved in online gambling activities. She stated that employees found guilty by the courts would be dismissed.
“While under investigation, they will be temporarily suspended, but if a conviction is reached, they will be dismissed without honor,” Hafid stated at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
Hafid also expressed support for law enforcement efforts to thoroughly investigate online gambling within her ministry, affirming the government’s commitment to uphold integrity standards.
(Raidi/Agung)
