JAKARTA, June 27: Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) is conducting an investigation into allegations involving over 1,000 members of the DPR, Regional Representative Council (DPRD), and their respective general secretariats for their alleged involvement in online gambling activities.
Commission III chairman Bambang Wuryanto stated during a session at the Parliament complex here on Wednesday that the Ethics Council could potentially take disciplinary action against those implicated.
“After concluding the investigation, the findings will be submitted to Commission III. The Ethics Council has the authority to summon individuals named in the report,” he said.
The inquiry was prompted by a report from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK), highlighting the need for transparency and accountability within government ranks, according to Bambang.
PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana stated that the centre is prepared to provide detailed data to lawmakers, specifically the Ethics Council, regarding transactions totaling 63,000, amounting to 25 billion rupiah or approximately US$1.74 million.
He also revealed during the meeting that financial transactions linked to online gambling in the republic had reached 101 trillion rupiah or US$7.04 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
Commission III’s deputy chairman Habiburokhman highlighted the societal and legal implications, mentioning potential criminal charges under Indonesian law for participants in online gambling.
He added that the DPR is considering both preventive and punitive measures to address the issue while recognising the critical role of PPATK in financial intelligence.
The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to tackle the growing issue of online gambling, appointing Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto to lead a task force addressing the problem.
Gambling is strictly prohibited under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law in Indonesia.
Distributors or facilitators of online gambling could face up to six years in prison and a fine of one billion rupiah, approximately US$69,000.
Players caught participating can be sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison or fined up to 10 million rupiah, about US$690, under the Criminal Code. -TVS
