President Prabowo has vowed to eradicate online gambling without compromise. The General Chairperson of APJII (Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers), Muhammad Arif Angga, gave his full support for this determination. Efforts to eradicate online gambling face enormous challenges. Therefore, he said, all parties must provide support.

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Online gambling, aka "judol", has become an enemy everywhere. President Prabowo Subianto has also taken a firm, uncompromising stance against online gambling. "The fight against online gambling is a long-term effort, not a momentary or time-limited operation. The President emphasized that the common people are often victims, so the state needs to pay special attention," was President Prabowo's direction delivered by the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, after a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace on November 6.

According to Muhammad Arif, the determination that has been put forward by the President must be supported by all parties, from ministers, state civil servants, the TNI, law enforcement, community organizations, professional organizations, to the wider community. Without such support, efforts to eradicate online gambling will only be a slogan.

"The social and economic impact of online gambling is extraordinary. Because gambling is prohibited or illegal in Indonesia, we must help the government eradicate online gambling which is now rampant. We have collaborated with Komdigi and the Police in eradicating online gambling," he said.

As an association where internet service providers in Indonesia gather, APJII is expected to play a role in helping the government eradicate online gambling. “In the past, when it was still called the Ministry of Communication and Information and now it is Komdigi, we have provided consultation to the government. We also helped the government filter so that content prohibited by the government, including online gambling, does not reach the public directly. In addition, we also provide digital literacy to the public about the dangers and losses if affected by online gambling,” he said, while emphasizing that law enforcement must be consistent and there must be a deterrent effect for those involved in "judol".

Those who manage online gambling, according to Muhammad Arif Angga, also did not lose their minds when their sites were blocked by the Ministry of Communication and Information. “One online gambling site is blocked, a thousand will grow. So when one is blocked, a new one will definitely appear, and so on. So online gambling is not like ordinary crimes, it cannot be resolved in a day,” he emphasized to Edy Suherli and Irfan Meidianto from VOI who met him at the APJII office, in the Mampang area, South Jakarta, not long ago. Here is an excerpt.

Online gambling is rampant everywhere, as an association, what is APJII doing to help combat it?

As an association, we appeal to members and the wider community that online gambling must be fought. The social and economic impacts of online gambling are extraordinary. Because gambling is prohibited or illegal in Indonesia, we must help the government eradicate online gambling which is now rampant. We have collaborated with the Ministry of Communication and Digital and the Police in eradicating online gambling. What we can do is minimize it, while eradicating it completely is a very difficult job.

The efforts that can be made are to minimize online gambling and its impacts?

Yes, that's what we can do right now. If these efforts can be maximized, that would be great. The reason why it is difficult to eradicate online gambling is because the demand for it still exists. What we can do is minimize the social and economic impacts in society.

What concrete steps are APJII taking and will continue to take to minimize the impacts of online gambling?

In the past, when it was still called Kemenkominfo and now it is called Komdigi, we have provided consultation to the government. We also help the government filter so that content prohibited by the government, including online gambling, does not reach the public directly. In addition, we also provide digital literacy to the public about the dangers and losses if affected by online gambling.

The public can report to us if they find a site that contains online gambling content. Furthermore, we will add it to the existing filter list.

To what extent does APJII have authority, does it only suggest or can it block directly?

APJII is a community organization, we do not have the authority to take action or punish. Those who have the authority to punish or take action are Kemenkomdigi and the Police. We only provide assistance, input, and data supply to agencies that have the authority.

Many sites affiliated with online gambling have been blocked by the Ministry of Communication and Digital, is this blocking step effective?

One online gambling site is blocked, a thousand will grow. So, when one site is blocked, a new one will definitely appear and a new one will appear, and so on. Online gambling is not like ordinary crimes, it cannot be resolved in a day. If the domain name is changed even slightly, for example the letter "A" is replaced with the number "4," the site is considered new. This is the challenge, how to block these online gambling sites. Facing conditions like this, we cannot remain silent, because society will continue to be harmed. Cooperation from all parties is needed to eradicate online gambling, and we from the association will help with this effort.

What form does APJII's cooperation with the government take in eradicating online gambling?

Systematically, all ISPs (internet service providers) in Indonesia must go through the Indonesia Internet Exchange (IIX) which is managed by APJII. There are also 40 service providers (NAP) that serve international networks. The flow is that all internet service providers will go through IIX first before reaching the public. It is at IIX that a filter (RBTH) is installed that can detect whether a site contains online gambling. We continue to update which sites are affiliated with online gambling, and we provide this information to Komdigi. Because we do not have the authority to take action or block.

Is there any cooperation with institutions abroad?

Currently, we only cooperate with institutions in Indonesia. This is because the regulations of each country are different, and in some countries gambling is not illegal.

How does APJII respond to the increasing use of VPN technology that allows the public to access blocked sites, including online gambling sites?

The internet world is like that; people can still access sites that have been blocked by the government via VPN. This is the challenge we must face.

Does APJII provide education or outreach to the public regarding the dangers of online gambling and how to report suspicious sites?

For outreach and education, we continue to do it on various occasions. We never stop reminding the public that online gambling is not a good thing and will ultimately be detrimental, because it has more negative sides. In addition, we also ask our provider friends to report if there are still sites containing online gambling that can be accessed by the public.

Ideally, all parties, especially those in related agencies, support efforts to eradicate online gambling. However, recently there were individuals in the Ministry of Communication and Digital were caught involved. What is your view on this?

We deeply regret that there are individuals in the Ministry of Communication and Digital who are involved in supporting online gambling. In fact, their role is very vital. Rules and regulations must be tightened, and there must be severe sanctions for individuals like this, so that there is a deterrent effect. Otherwise, cases like this could happen again in the future. In addition, do not discriminate; all levels involved must be sanctioned.

So far, I have seen that those caught in online gambling cases are mostly users, who are generally from the lower class. They have a mediocre income, participate in online gambling, lose, and then get caught in online loans. So, their lives are getting more miserable.

President Prabowo, the Minister of Communication and Digital, and the police have a strong determination to eradicate online gambling. We are waiting for its implementation so that it does not just become a slogan.

Hopefully what has been planned by President Prabowo and Minister Meutya Hafid can really be realized and can minimize online gambling that is now rampant. The key is in law enforcement, and the authorities must be committed so that no one "gets a cold."

In addition to blocking sites that are suspected of being involved in online gambling, what else do you think the government can do?

It is not enough to just block sites that contain online gambling. The payment system used must also be checked. Bank Indonesia and OJK may be involved in this. Because if we only close the site, it will be like a "never ending story."

APJII has also committed to supporting the government's program to eradicate online gambling?

Since last year, we have launched our support for the government that is trying to eradicate online gambling. To all APJII members, we call on you to play an active role in supporting President Prabowo's government program to eradicate online gambling. We support programs that provide benefits to the community. The government cannot work alone. We from the association and other related associations are expected to be involved. The community, which is a user of online gambling, must also be aware that gambling has minimal benefits. No one is successful because of gambling, but many go bankrupt.

Muhammad Arif Angga Targets Chicago Marathon

A healthy body contains a healthy soul. This old adage is truly implemented by Muhammad Arif Angga in his life. There are two sports that the General Chairman of the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) does; golf and marathon. However, due to various considerations, he is now more inclined to marathon. Not kidding, his target is to participate in one of the prestigious major marathon events in the world.

"Indeed, my days are already busy with office activities and also in the association. I usually make time for weekends to do sports activities. So far, what I do is golf and marathon," he said.

When there is an event outside the city or abroad, Arif has prepared himself to try out the golf courses in the city or country that is the destination. "After the main event is finished, I usually take the time to try out the golf courses around the city. For me, playing golf is one of the entertainments after completing the main agenda," he admitted.

So as not to be too groping, before leaving Arif had searched on the internet page about the golf courses that would be his destination. "Nowadays, everything can be known via the internet. Where the detailed location is, and how we can get there and what facilities are available at the golf course I'm going to," he said.

In playing golf, Arif does not have a lofty target, namely just for fitness and fun. "I don't have a specific target to play golf, just for health and fun," said Arif who can only play golf once a week.

But there is one more target he wants to achieve by playing golf with relations and business partners. Through golf, he will establish closeness with business partners. "The time we spend playing golf is quite long, at least half a day. It would be a shame if I didn't take advantage of that moment to become close with business relations," he admitted.

Major Marathon                          

In addition to golf, Muhammad Arif Angga also uses his time to exercise by running. Currently, he is still trying out marathon events in his home country and neighboring countries. But next year he has set a target to try one of the most famous major marathons in the world.

So far, there have been six cities that have been named as the most famous major marathons in the world. Namely the marathon events in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. And the latest is that there is one more city that is included in the major marathon, namely Sydney. "According to the information I received, next year Sydney has been included in one of the major marathons. So now there are 7 major marathons that can be targeted by marathoners in a year," said Arif, who has been pursuing marathon sports for a year and a half.

In fact, in 2024 he had targeted the Berlin Marathon. However, he failed to participate because the time coincided with the APJII National Conference. "So I registered last year for the 2024 Berlin Marathon. But what a shame, the time coincided with the APJII National Conference. I was forced to cancel. Hopefully next year I can participate in one of the 7 major marathons," he hoped.

Of the seven major marathon cities, Arif is targeting the Chicago Marathon which will be held on October 12, 2025. "Hopefully everything can run smoothly. I still have less than a year to prepare myself to take part in the Chicago Marathon," he explained.

Focus on Sport

If you only do running, the expenses are relatively cheap. But when you join various marathon events, both domestically and abroad, the costs start to increase. "If you only run around your housing complex, it's cheap and cheerful. But when you use new shoes and accessories and join running events, it starts to increase," he admitted.

What Arif likes about running is the relatively small time difference. "For golf, we spend at least half a day. For running, one to two hours is enough. Especially if you run around your housing complex, the time is even shorter," he said.

Although many running communities have emerged along with the increasing public interest in running, Arif doesn't really like joining community activities. The problem is that sometimes the activities are more about non-running sports. "Because I don't have much time, I don't join the running communities that are popping up now. There's no time to hang out or do activities outside of running. I just focus on the sport," explained Arif.

By exercising regularly, Muhammad Arif Angga feels the benefits of exercising himself. "By exercising regularly, I feel my body's metabolism becomes smoother, fitter and feels healthier. Because as we get older, our body's metabolism decreases. Well, that must be balanced with exercise," he said.

"Hopefully what President Prabowo, Minister Meutya Hafid has planned can really be realized, and can minimize online gambling that is rampant now. The key is in law enforcement and the authorities must be committed so that no one 'gets a cold' again,"