Prabowo Subianto’s Anti-Gambling Crusade: No More Fun and Games!
Well folks, get ready to place your chips on the table because President Prabowo Subianto has thrown down the gauntlet against online gambling in Indonesia! As if the world of illegal betting needed any more drama, here comes a president promising a crackdown as if he were Percy Blakeney, “They seek him here, they seek him there!” Well, my dear Indonesians, you might just be seeking that Wi-Fi password next!
In just two weeks since Prabowo took office, there’s been more commotion than a pub at closing time. The man isn’t just cleaning house; he’s tossing the furniture out the window! With the arrest of numerous ministerial staff and a social media sensation caught with their hands in the cookie jar (or should we say, the poker chips?), online gambling has become the hot topic du jour.
At a recent cabinet meeting, Prabowo made it as clear as a bell: “No state officials or security personnel shall use their positions to help online gambling!” Finally, a leader who seems to understand that the only thing folks should be gambling on is whether their favorite soap will get renewed for another season. Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid didn’t just echo his sentiments; she practically shouted them like a barker at a carnival!
She mentioned not just the police but the whole shebang—Attorney General’s Office, Coordinating Politics and Security Ministry… Even your neighbor’s cat might get involved if this continues! If you’re thinking this sounds like a major league crackdown, then you’d be right! Prabowo is slipping on his metaphorical gloves and getting ready to box with bookmakers. They say there’s no ‘backing’ or ‘assistance’ for these operators, which I interpret as “You’re on your own!” Can I get a hallelujah?
But let’s get to the nitty-gritty here. What’s really at stake? Well, it turns out online gambling is not just innocent fun for the tech-savvy youth. It often targets disadvantaged individuals, leaving them in a tight spot. Prabowo isn’t simply acting like an overzealous dad with a new ‘no video games during the week’ rule; he’s genuinely concerned for the welfare of the people. And you know what they say: “A worried dad with power is a dad to be reckoned with!”
And if that wasn’t enough, Prabowo reiterated his stance at a national coordination meeting in Bogor, which is basically a fancy way of saying “let’s all sit together and pretend coffee can fix everything.” It’s a call for unity in combating this pesky problem, and you can almost hear the bureaucrats stirring their coffees in agreement–or maybe that’s just them wondering how they’re going to make it through the week without their online poker fix!
So, as we witness President Prabowo take a machete to the tangled vines of online gambling, we can look forward to a future where perhaps much less dough will be tossed around in cyberspace, and more will be invested in, I don’t know, *gasp* actual necessities! Because folks, in this brave new world, it’s not just the chips that are down; it’s the stakes. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did just drop a pun there!
President Prabowo Subianto has called for a comprehensive crackdown on the burgeoning online gambling crisis in Indonesia, as scrutiny intensifies regarding former communications and information minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who is under investigation.
Online gambling has surged to prominence within the first two weeks of Prabowo’s administration, following a significant crackdown resulting in the arrest of numerous government officials, private sector employees, and a social media figure who gained notoriety overnight for alleged involvement in these illegal operations.
During a crucial cabinet plenary session at the State Palace on Wednesday, Prabowo expressed his stringent stance against any state officials or members of security agencies who might misuse their authority to shield online gambling operators from prosecution, as reported by Communication and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid.
“Several institutions were highlighted during this meeting, including the police, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Coordinating Politics and Security Ministry. However, the collaboration is expected to extend beyond these three, with all relevant institutions required to unite in the fight against online gambling,” Meutya elaborated.
“In his own words, ‘There should be no backing, no assistance of any kind,’” Meutya reiterated, emphasizing Prabowo’s unwavering commitment to eradicating an illicit practice that predominantly preys on individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and ensuring that “collusion must become a relic of the past.”
Prabowo reiterated a similar message during a national coordination meeting between central and local governments held in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday, according to Deputy Transmigration Minister Viva Yoga Mauladi.