Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The former Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Technology (Menkominfo), Budi Arie Setiadi, faces increasing calls for investigation amid an online gambling scandal that has embroiled officials from the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), previously known as Kominfo. The scandal, which involves alleged misconduct by ministry employees, has ignited calls for a comprehensive review of Setiadi’s actions during his tenure. Leading these calls is Indonesian Audit Watch (IAW), an anti-corruption watchdog.
IAW’s Secretary, Iskandar Sitorus, recently urged police to investigate Setiadi, citing his responsibility for the ministry’s performance and policies during his leadership.
“We support police efforts to eradicate online gambling in Indonesia,” Sitorus stated in a press briefing on Wednesday. “It’s only logical to question former Minister Budi Arie, as he was the ultimate authority within the ministry at that time.” According to IAW, only a formal investigation could clarify Setiadi’s role and potentially uncover deeper systemic issues.
This investigation would focus on Setiadi’s past claims of effectively shutting down online gambling websites. During his tenure, Setiadi publicly reported that the ministry had blocked millions of illegal gambling sites, positioning himself as a strong advocate against the country’s illegal gambling problem. However, recent events have raised questions about the validity of those claims, with Sitorus emphasizing the need for clarity.
“Let’s see if his statements were fact or fiction. Was his effort genuinely effective, or just rhetoric?” Sitorus said, adding that only a police investigation could establish the truth.
The pressure for Setiadi’s investigation follows the arrest of 16 Komdigi employees and consultants in connection with an illegal gambling network. These officials are accused of exploiting their authority to selectively block websites, allowing over a thousand gambling sites to continue operating.
According to investigators, these officials allegedly received lucrative monthly payments—up to $550,000 collectively—for keeping the sites active, while public-facing ministry policies appeared to be strict on gambling bans.
The alleged misconduct by Komdigi officials has cast a shadow over Setiadi’s time as minister, and public outcry has intensified. Activists argue that a thorough investigation would not only clarify Setiadi’s role but could also reveal potential regulatory lapses and abuses of authority within the ministry. Many believe that such an inquiry could bring much-needed transparency to Indonesia’s digital regulatory efforts.
In addition to the investigation, IAW has called for a full audit of Setiadi’s use of government resources. Sitorus explained that an audit could determine whether public funds were indeed directed toward enforcing the gambling ban as Setiadi claimed.
“A comprehensive audit of the ministry’s budget under Setiadi’s leadership is essential,” Sitorus stated. “This will show if resources were genuinely used for anti-gambling measures or if they were misallocated.”
A full audit would provide the transparency Indonesian citizens are now demanding, and could potentially serve as a model for future oversight in digital governance. If a connection between Setiadi’s policies and the current scandal emerges, it may drive reforms aimed at ensuring accountability in digital regulations.
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Supporters of Setiadi argue that an investigation would also serve to clear his name if no wrongdoing is found. “If Budi Arie is innocent, this inquiry will only strengthen public confidence in his integrity,” Sitorus acknowledged, noting that such clarity is crucial in an era where trust in public officials remains fragile.
This scandal has brought to light significant challenges within Indonesia’s digital governance framework, raising important questions about transparency, accountability, and the risks of unchecked power in managing digital policies. As pressure mounts, Indonesian authorities face the dual responsibility of delivering justice while safeguarding public trust.
(Becky)
