TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan revealed the challenges the government faces in eradicating online gambling that involves cross-border activities. According to him, the involvement of several countries in online gambling transactions prolongs the investigation process.

As a result, the government needs to cooperate with other countries involved in these online gambling practices. “While some other countries have legalized gambling issues, we have not,” Budi said at his office in Jakarta on Monday, November 11, 2024.

He said that this situation requires each country to engage in negotiations. It is not only about bilateral issues but also multilateral discussions on how to deal with online gambling practices.

“This includes the need to raise awareness in our country about the risks and dangers of online gambling,” said the former head of the National Intelligence Agency.

The ministry has set up the Online Gambling Handling Desk, headed by the National Police Chief. They have three months to work on this issue.

The work duration was set during the coordination meeting. But Budi said that it could be extended. “It can be extended according to the needs in the field,” said the former aide to the 5th President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Budi revealed that the Police are currently working to uncover and enforce the law against the perpetrators behind these illegal practices. He also stated that his ministry had received instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to eradicate online gambling. “There will be no tolerance,” he said.

Previously, Budi Gunawan stated that his ministry is committed to handling the eradication of online gambling, similar to what his predecessor, Hadi Tjahjanto, did through the Online Gambling Task Force.

Budi assessed that online gambling practices have led to the deterioration of the people’s economy and caused people to fall into poverty. “It has been disturbing, very disturbing for individuals, households, the environment, and so on. This needs to be handled properly and more rigorously,” Budi said on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, as reported by Antara.

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