Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia has been declared the country with the highest number of online gambling users globally, according to data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK). The staggering figures—4 million active players and over 168 million online transactions amounting to IDR 327 trillion (approximately $21 billion) in 2023 alone—have led Indonesian lawmaker M. Nasir Djamil to propose that online gambling be treated as a national emergency.
Speaking to Parlementaria on November 16, 2024, Nasir, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission III, compared the growing online gambling problem to the country’s drug trafficking crisis. He urged President Prabowo Subianto to take decisive action, emphasizing that a national-level response is needed to combat this rampant issue effectively.
Efforts to Combat the Epidemic
The proposal includes enhancing the efforts of the government’s Online Gambling Task Force, particularly by improving both prevention and enforcement measures. Nasir called for regional police departments, such as North Sumatra’s police force (Polda Sumut), to maximize their contributions.
During a specific working visit to North Sumatra, Nasir praised the region’s police for taking significant strides in combating online gambling. Their initiatives include recommending hundreds of gambling websites to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) for blocking and conducting numerous raids.
Despite these efforts, the battle remains challenging due to the international nature of the problem, with many online gambling servers operating outside Indonesia’s jurisdiction.
The Deep Roots of Gambling in Indonesia
Nasir acknowledged that gambling, a practice as old as humanity itself, is deeply rooted in Indonesian society. Eradicating it requires immense commitment, time, and collaboration among stakeholders. He metaphorically described gambling as a tree with deeply entrenched roots, warning that uprooting it would be no easy feat.
To address this systemic issue, Nasir emphasized the need for collective action among government agencies. He called for closer collaboration between the PPATK and law enforcement to trace and act on financial transactions linked to online gambling operations.
Public Trust and Accountability
As a government institution with the authority to analyze financial transactions, PPATK plays a critical role in Indonesia’s fight against online gambling. Nasir urged the agency to build public trust through transparency and active engagement with law enforcement.
“We hope the PPATK can partner effectively with law enforcement to follow up on their findings and reports,” Nasir stated. He further emphasized that law enforcement must intensify its efforts, working collaboratively to dismantle the networks supporting online gambling activities.
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Conclusion
Indonesia’s battle against online gambling is at a critical juncture. With millions of active users and billions of dollars at stake, treating the issue as a national emergency underscores the urgency of the crisis. While progress has been made, the fight is far from over. It will require robust collaboration, technological innovation, and unwavering commitment to protect Indonesia’s social and economic fabric from the destructive impact of online gambling.
(Becky)
