The Public Needs To Continue To Urge Puan's Request So That Council Members Involved In Gambling Can Be Announced

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JAKARTA - The DPR should have been reactive after receiving a report that a member of the council was involved in online gambling. The public must also be able to continue to urge the request of the Speaker of the DPR, Puan Maharani, who asked for the names of the members to be announced to the public.

"When the leadership of other state institutions seems to normalize online gambling by saying it's just an 'iseng when it's stuck', the leadership of the DPR quickly and firmly responds to the report," said Political Communication Observer, Ari Junaedi, Friday, July 12.

He considered that the quick response and firmness of the DPR leadership were very important for the public communication of this representative of the people towards the people they represented.

"Moreover, this is related to online gambling whose impact is already very worrying in society, such as household destruction, crime, and even suicide," said Ari.

According to a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, the attitude of the DPR leadership which is getting better in responding to public issues can increase public credibility or trust in the institution. This is proven, at least according to a Kompas Research and Development survey on 27 May-2 June 2024, the DPR has experienced the highest increase in public positive appreciation among other state institutions.

"And vice versa, institutions whose leaders are not competent in communicating, such as online gambling, have the potential to continue to erode their positive image," said Ari.

The House of Representatives' Honorary Court (MKD) once revealed a total of 60 people within the DPR who played online gambling. Of that number, two of them are members of the DPR. While the rest are employees and employee staff.

The data is based on a letter received by the DPR RI MKD from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs as well as the Head of the Online Judi Eradication Task Force, Hadi Tjahjanto. Based on the data report, Puan asked that this matter be thoroughly investigated so that it would be clear.

"Yes, if it exists, then name it. So that there is no slander," said Puan previously.

The chairman of the DPR MKD, Adang Daradjatin, said that the circulation of the illicit funds amounted to Rp1.9 billion. In the near future, MKD will immediately ask for further information from DPR members who play online gambling.

"So the affirmation, two members of the council are indeed reported, we will (ask) clarify first, as soon as possible," said Adang.