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Caught in the Gambling Web
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Hello readers,
We are once again discussing a hot topic. Budi Arie Setiadi has been implicated in the online gambling protection network within the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry. Under Jokowi’s administration, it was known as the Communication and Informatics Ministry. Budi Arie was the last minister there. He now serves as the Cooperatives Minister.
The police have arrested dozens of suspects involved in protecting online gambling operations. They include employees of the Communication Ministry. Strangely, unlike in other cases, the police have not released the identities of the suspects. Not even the names of those arrested are made public, let alone those still at large.
Online gambling players suspect that the revelation of this protection racket is merely a political gimmick. Some say it was exposed because the distribution of gambling money was not equal. The reason is that the protectors do not support all gambling sites. Those who fail to pay the required bribes have their sites shut down.
Budi Arie has admitted to knowing which of his subordinates were involved in protecting online gambling and the major operators behind it. However, until he left the Communication Ministry, no action had been taken against them. The gambling protection network was only exposed after the change in administration.
The money circulating in the online gambling world is truly staggering. Its players are from lower-income backgrounds, as online gambling allows betting with amounts as small as tens of thousands of rupiah. Communication Minister Meutya Hafid stated that online gambling has become an epidemic in both urban and rural areas. The transactions traced by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center show that the money involved reaches hundreds of trillions of rupiah.
Describing online gambling as an epidemic is not wrong. It causes addiction, with players experiencing acute anxiety once they become hooked on gambling on their devices. Moreover, they are often aware that the online gambling operators have rigged the machines to ensure the players do not win much.
In this edition, we explore online gambling, including those who have connections with the elites. One name is frequently mentioned as the main figure behind online gambling protection. We delve into the profile of this person, known among ministers and Jokowi’s volunteers. Who is he? Happy reading.
Bagja Hidayat
Deputy Chief Editor
OPINION
The Joke of Eradicating Online Gambling
The investigation into the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry employees backing online gambling is expanded to include many people. Ill-gotten gains from a political operation.
COVER STORY
Exposing Online Gambling Protection Scandal
Former Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi is implicated in an online gambling case. He allegedly met with representatives of gambling operators.
Protectors of Online Gambling Sites at the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry
The number of people suspected of protecting online gambling sites increases to 18. Employees of the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry are involved.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid: Online Gambling Site Blocking Continues
The Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry is tidying up house now that 10 of its employees are accused of participating in online gambling. Their flow of cash is being scrutinized.
The Ministers’ Substitute Guitarist
One of the suspects of the online gambling case is a regular in the ministers’ social circles, and active in the arts scene.
Read more in Tempo Magazine:
