Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Nasyirul Falah Amru, asked law enforcement officers (APH) to take firm action against organizers and bookies of gambling operating under the guise of the "Timezone" children's play area.
According to him, if it is proven that there are gambling practices disguised as entertainment games, the police must act impartially and enforce applicable legal provisions to the fullest extent.
"We must not allow places that should be used as family recreation facilities to be used as a cover for gambling practices," said the man familiarly known as Gus Falah in a statement received.
He emphasized that Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code , which only came into effect this year, provides a strong legal basis for the state to take action against gambling organizers.
Article 426 of the Criminal Code stipulates that anyone who without permission offers or gives the public the opportunity to gamble or participates in a gambling company can be punished with a maximum prison sentence of 9 years or a fine of up to IDR 2 billion.
Gus Falah assessed that the criminal threat shows the state's seriousness in eradicating gambling practices that are detrimental to society and have the potential to damage the younger generation.
Therefore, he said, the APH must not hesitate to thoroughly investigate various parties who profit from hidden gambling activities.
According to him, the main focus in eradicating gambling must be directed at the organizers, bookies, and parties who profit from these gambling practices.
"They must be held criminally accountable to the maximum extent to create a deterrent effect," he said.
As a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives commission in charge of law, he also asked the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged gambling network disguised as a children's play area.
This includes tracing the flow of funds, the management, and the possibility of other parties benefiting from these illegal activities.
He stressed that the state has an obligation to protect children and families from exposure to covert gambling practices.
Thus, he continued, people should not be fooled by the label of a family game, even though it contains practices that contain elements of gambling.
"Strict law enforcement will send a message that the state does not allow any form of gambling, whatever the method," said Gus Falah.
Previously, the General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police raided two gambling locations camouflaged as children's play areas in West Jakarta and North Jakarta.
Head of Sub-Directorate of Jatanras Polda Metro Jaya, AKBP Abdul Rahim, in a statement explained that the operation held succeeded in securing more than 60 people suspected of being involved in the illegal activity.
"We have conducted raids on gambling crimes in two separate locations and arrested more than 60 people," he said.
Abdul explained that the two locations are in Penjaringan, namely Disney Timezone, which is located at Jalan Jembatan 3 Raya No. 5F - 5G, RT 23/RW 08, Penjaringan, Penjaringan District, by confiscating 76 gambling machines.
Then, the second gambling location, namely Sky Timezone, which is located at Jalan Taman Surya Boulevard No. 14 Block D2, RT 07/RW 15, Pegadungan, Kalideres District, by securing 58 gambling machines from this place.
