Minister Meutya Invites Police to Clean Up Her Ministry with Online Gambling Suspect

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Digital (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid has opened up wide opportunities for law enforcement officers to 'clean up' online gambling practices (judol) in the ministry she leads.

The statement was made by Meutya in response to the police's efforts to arrest 11 individuals suspected of being involved in an online gambling case. Some of them are Kemenkomdigi employees.

"Earlier I coordinated with the Chief of Police, with the Regional Police Chief. The point is, I invite the police to help clean up," said Meutya Hafid when fulfilling President Prabowo's summons at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Friday, November 1, as quoted by Antara.

In her statement, the former television journalist has given direction to all ranks of Kemenkomdigi to assist in all investigative efforts carried out by the Police regarding the allegations in the case.

"We have emphasized to the internal ranks to support the instruction to comply with the integrity pact that we have previously built with the ranks of the ministry to jointly fight online gambling," she said.

For individuals who are proven guilty through a final and binding court decision, Meutya ensured that they would be dishonorably discharged. Meanwhile, for employees with suspect status in the case, they will be temporarily suspended while the investigation process continues.

Meutya added that the police's efforts to uncover online gambling practices within her agency are part of the internal clean-up efforts of the ministry she leads.

"Please pray, hopefully it will be a good effort to clean up according to President Prabowo's direction for us to combat online gambling," she said.

As previously reported, Polda Metro Jaya arrested 11 suspects in an online gambling case involving Kemenkomdigi employees in Bekasi City, West Java.

"These are 11 people, some of whom are Kemenkomdigi employees, among others there are also expert staff from Komdigi," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Sr. Comr. Ade Ary Syam Indradi when confirmed in Jakarta, Friday.

Ade Ary explained that the Ministry of Komdigi employees have the authority to check online gambling websites and block them. However, they abuse their authority by not blocking online gambling sites.