National Police Chief: Handling Online Gambling Is Ongoing, Strict Action Must Be Taken

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. (ANTARA/Gecio Viana)

FLORES TIMUR - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the handling and eradication of online gambling cases in Indonesia is currently underway in all regions.

"The online gambling issue is clear, we have to take firm action," he said after visiting the evacuation post for victims of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reported by ANTARA, Monday, November 18.

The National Police Chief explained that the handling of the online gambling case was ongoing in all regions, starting from the arrest of the judionline dealer, the arrest of the person involved in the online gambling, and tracing the assets of the person involved in the online gambling.

"Everything is ongoing, at a time of course it will be officially released," he said.

Previously, the National Police Chief emphasized that the institution he leads will seriously eradicate the online case.

"The National Police will seriously eradicate this gambling. What is clear, our commitment, we will enforce (law, ed.). If this is targeting anywhere, of course as long as it can be proven, we will complete the process," said the National Police Chief.

In an effort to eradicate gambling, the National Police Chief said the police were working with relevant ministries/agencies, such as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in tracing the assets of the perpetrators to be confiscated and handed over to the state.

However, according to him, the part that is no less important in eradicating these crimes is prevention. Therefore, the National Police is also working with all figures, ministries/agencies, and local governments in prevention efforts.

"So then this becomes a joint work, both in terms of prevention, enforcement, law, and in terms of other things, which of course we must do together if the eradication of this gambling is complete," he said.

General Sigit also emphasized that he would not hesitate to take action against police officers involved in online gambling.

"Against the members who are still playing online gambling, I have ordered them to be brought under control. Sanctions are the same. Those involved accept or even back, I ask to be thoroughly investigated," he said.

The National Police Chief in a meeting with Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives on Monday explained that the National Police from 2020 to 2024 had uncovered 6,386 gambling cases.

Of the thousands of cases, Sigit continued, the National Police named 9,096 suspects, confiscated assets worth Rp861.8 billion, blocked 5,991 accounts and 68,108 sites.

One of the cases being handled by the National Police is an employee of the Ministry of Communication and Trade who is suspected of securing online gambling sites so as not to be blocked. He emphasized that his party continues to develop the case.

Yesterday we arrested the perpetrators in Malaysia and last night we brought them home. We are currently developing it to lead to the group of perpetrators, both individuals and from the group of dealers that we are currently investigating. Later in particular, an official release will be delivered by the Polda Metro Jaya," he explained.