Indonesian Gambling Crackdown Criticized

INDONESIA – As reported by the Jakarta Post: "Raids on gambling dens have started in the capital, but the public at large complained Wednesday that police were only targeting small-time gamblers.

"Ara, 37, a resident of Kota Bambu Utara, West Jakarta, said police raided two small gambling dens in the neighborhood, but turned a blind eye to gambling dens in buildings in their area.

"…Ara helped police from West Jakarta precinct raid gambling dens in Kota Bambu Utara on Tuesday afternoon soon after city police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani ordered his precinct and subprecinct chiefs to close down all gambling dens in their respective areas within three days.

"A total of 15 gambling dens in Kemanggisan, Tanjung Duren, Pedongkelan, and Cengkareng have been raided, with police detaining dozens of gamblers since Tuesday.

"However, police seemed to have only targeted small-time gamblers, raiding gambling dens in small neighborhoods and arresting agents of illegal numbers rackets known as togel…"

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