It Is Considered That The Application Of The Gambling Law Has Not Yet Created A Deterrent Effect

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JAKARTA - The government strongly forbids people from crowding to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apparently this has been ignored by residents in the East Kalimbua neighborhood, Batupanga Village, Luyo District, Polewali Mandar Regency.

How could they not, residents in that area are even fun to play gambling. In order to hide this, they gambled on the plantation area. However, their gambling can still be exposed by the police on reports from the public. Hundreds of thousands of cash and two sets of joker cards were confiscated as evidence.

Kapolsek Campalagian Iptu Sukirno AS said, this raid was a follow-up to public reports. This is because this gambling activity has been going on for a long time, making local residents nervous.

"The place where they played gambling has been stalked for a long time. Actually, residents have often reminded the perpetrators to stop gambling but they are ignored," said Sukirno, Sunday, May 10.

With gambling still occurring in society, said Sukirno, his party would take firm action against everyone involved in gambling. Moreover, the current situation and conditions are still during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We act firmly and impose sanctions in accordance with the applicable regulations," he said.

Referring to the applicable regulations, the criminal act of gambling is regulated in Article 303 of the Criminal Code with a maximum imprisonment of 10 years.

Al Azhar University criminal law observer Suparji Ahmad said, in fact many of the gamblers were not given the maximum penalty. So that it is considered not to provide a deterrent effect.

"So far this has not made the perpetrators deterred so that the potential perpetrators will repeat the same actions," said Suparji.

However, when viewed from a different point of view. For some people, gambling is done on the grounds of filling their spare time. Although, it does not eliminate the element of seeking profit.

"There is a tendency to seek pleasure but also to seek luck," said Suparji.

Likewise, University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala added, gambling which is often found in society only starts from boredom. They are looking for activities that have a high level of fun.

"Generally it's just for fun. Even if there is a money factor, it's only a small amount," he said.

However, with the excuse of looking for activity when hit by boredom, the motive for gambling has turned into a habit. Especially those who are looking to profit from gambling will continue to do so.

"For some people, gambling is also a habit. However, it cannot be denied that there are also those who use gambling as a way to make money," Ardianus concluded.