Deputy MPR Chairman Regrets Staff from Ministry of Communication and Digital Involved in Online Gambling

Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Eddy Soeparno. (ANTARA/HO-MPR RI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Eddy Soeparno regretted that officials from the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) were suspected of being involved in online gambling practices that were revealed when the Metro Jaya Police arrested 11 suspects in the online gambling case, among whom were employees of the ministry.

"We are fighting against judol (online gambling) which is destroying the younger generation and many have even committed suicide because they are in debt. On the other hand, employees who should be carrying out their duties to fight online gambling, are actually the ones protecting this practice," said Eddy as stated in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Saturday.

On the other hand, he highlighted the firm response of Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid regarding this polemic.

"The response from the Minister of Communication and Digital has also conveyed that the investigation must be carried out in depth and thoroughly so that those affiliated with judol can be immediately fired and even prosecuted," he said.

Furthermore, as the leader of the MPR, Eddy fully supports President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to eradicating online gambling. He admitted that he was ready to be an integral part of the effort to eradicate online gambling that is damaging the younger generation.

"President Prabowo emphasized that he will fully support the eradication of online gambling and even used the terminology of sterilization at all levels of government and stakeholders. As the leader of the MPR, I fully support this commitment," he said.

Not only that, the Deputy Chairman of the MPR also admitted that he would continue to build dialogue and awareness with the younger generation to avoid judol and channel creative space in a more positive form.

"One of my commitments in the MPR is to be a bridge for the aspirations of the younger generation to realize policies that support their creative space. Eliminating and fighting judol is an important requirement to realize the Golden Indonesia 2045," he said.

Previously, Metro Jaya Police arrested 11 suspects in an online gambling case involving employees of the Ministry of Communication and Information in Bekasi City, West Java.

"These are 11 people, some of whom are employees of the Ministry of Communication and Information, among others there are also expert staff from the Ministry of Communication and Information," said Head of Public Relations of Metro Jaya Police Senior Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi when confirmed in Jakarta, Friday (1/11).

Ade Ary explained that the employees of the Ministry of Communication and Information had the authority to check online gambling websites and block them. However, they abused their authority by not blocking certain online gambling sites.

"They were given full authority to block. However, they abused it by doing it, if they already knew them, they did not block them from their data," he said.