Affirming Gambling Against Minangkabau Tradition, West Sumatra Police Chief: No Gambling Is Beneficial To Players

Illustration of cockfighting that is often used for gambling. (Pixabay-ToanNguyen)

SUMBAR - West Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Teddy Minahasa Putra asked his staff to clear the province from gambling activities that make the people more miserable.

"I feel sorry for the little people who gamble with the hope of luck," he said in Padang, West Sumatra, Friday, August 12.

He said activities and activities related to gambling are things that are prohibited by religion, and are also prohibited by applicable laws.

In addition, the Kapolda emphasized that gambling is against the life philosophy of the Minangkabau people, namely "Basandi Syarak custom, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah." The meaning of custom in Minangkabau is based on the Shari'a sourced from the Qur'an and Al-Hadith.

"Remember, gambling only benefits the dealer, there is no gambling that benefits players," he said, according to Antara.

The Regional Police Chief instructed the eradication of community diseases, especially gambling, to the ranks of the Resort Police in the jurisdiction of the West Sumatra Regional Police.

He also reminded not to play with gambling because this crime will develop into other crimes. "We want West Sumatra to be free from gambling and other criminal acts," he added.

He appreciated and thanked his staff who were serious in following up on his instructions.

"Thank you for this disclosure, and I still hope it can be developed. Pity the little people who participate in gambling with the hope of luck," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations of the West Sumatra Police, Kombes Pol. Dwi Sulistyawan, said that from August 1 to 11, 2022, police officers in the province revealed 71 cases of gambling.

According to him, most of the gambling cases that have been uncovered are online lottery (dark toto) gambling. "There is online gambling (lottery), playing card gambling and so on," he said.