This Legislator Proposes Confiscated Online Gambling Funds Be Used to Meet the Needs of TNI Soldiers

Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sukamta encouraged the Government to continue its commitment to eradicating online gambling (judol). He still wants the TNI to be involved in eradicating judol which has become a scourge in people's lives.

Sukamta stated that he had proposed this directly to the TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and the Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in a Hearing Meeting in Commission I Room, Monday (11/25) yesterday.

Not only that, Sukamta also assessed that the proceeds from online gambling crimes could also be used for the benefit of the state. He explained this in order to recover state losses due to illegal activities, fund development programs, and at the same time provide a deterrent effect to perpetrators of crime.

"Well, the online gambling confiscation in the form of a turnover of Rp900 trillion can be used for the benefit of the nation in accordance with applicable regulations and laws," said Sukamta, Tuesday, November 26.

In addition to national development, Sukamta said that the results of online gambling confiscations of around 10-20 percent can also be used to meet the needs of TNI soldiers and procurement of defense equipment. Because both are important to strengthen Indonesia's defense which is currently needed amidst the world's geopolitical turmoil.

"This is not at all to support online gambling. Not at all. Because, online gambling not only damages public morals but also causes great economic losses to the country," said Sukamta.

The member of the Commission in the DPR in charge of defense affairs explained that the Criminal Code (KUHP) / Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 1 of 2023 Articles 426 and 427 regulate gambling, where gambling is considered a criminal act. Sukamta said that the perpetrators can be subject to criminal penalties and fines and the proceeds of illegal gambling can be confiscated as evidence and confiscated for the state.

Then Law No. 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering (TPPU) Article 2 also regulates gambling which is included in the proceeds of criminal acts. Then in Article 67, said Sukamta, it is stated that the state has the right to confiscate assets that are proven to be the proceeds of crime.

"In essence, assets confiscated from illegal activities and crimes must be managed properly by the state and allocated for things that are beneficial to society and the state," he said.

Sukamta also explained a number of benefits that can be obtained from the confiscation of assets resulting from online gambling crimes. Such as recovering state losses, covering budget deficits or other losses, and funding public programs.

"Confiscated assets, whether in the form of money, property, or vehicles, can be allocated for public programs. If these assets are used to build public facilities, of course the impact will be very positive for the community," explained Sukamta.

According to Sukamta, this is a strategic step to break the chain of crime. He also encouraged collaboration between all parties, including law enforcement officers, the government, and the community, in eradicating online gambling.

"This is not only about law enforcement, but also about protecting the future of the nation's generation. Online gambling is a real threat, and we must fight it together," he concluded.