Jokowi Praises The Police For Eradicating Online Gambling, Especially Football Matches

President Jokowi became the goalkeeper while playing football with residents on the sidelines of akunker in West Manggarat, NTT, Monday, December 4, 2023. (ANTARA-HO-Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appreciates the efforts of the National Police in eradicating online gambling, especially related to football matches. Jokowi hopes that these Polri steps will be sustainable.

This was conveyed by Jokowi in front of the media crew after inaugurating the expansion of PT Smelting in the PT Smelting area, Gresik Regency, East Java Province, Thursday, December 14, which was confiscated by Antara.

"Yesterday, when I was arrested by the National Police, which was related to football and online gambling, I thought this was very good, don't stop here, continue," said the President in a press release in Jakarta, Thursday, December 14, which was confiscated by Antara.

Jokowi said the government had emphasized the eradication of soccer gambling in Indonesia. The President emphasized that football must be free from the practice of the football mafia.

"So that the ball is really clean, the game is fair, that's what will transform football in Indonesia will happen later," he said.

The Head of State emphasized that Indonesia's football transformation will move forward even better when match-fixing and games in matches are eliminated.

"There is no match fixing, no money playing in the match, that will drive the transformation of Indonesian football, if this is not finished, don't expect our football to rise to its level even though it is now starting to improve," he said.