VIVAnews – The Indonesian Police is urged to reveal the name of the six police generals who are allegedly involved in underground gambling in Riau, involving billions of rupiah
“Don’t let it go on for too long. Inform the public as soon as possible,” said House of Representatives chairman Agung Laksono, at the Parliamentary complex, Tuesday, Dec. 2.
However, before the police can announce the name of the six generals, there need to be an internal investigation. If it turns out that there is an official behind the perpetrators, then the police must perform a clean sweep.
“If there are officials backing [the gambling operation], it must be dealt with. Don’t let the backing become an obstacle. The Indonesian Police Chief must not be hesitant. Maybe it’s in the investigation process now, but after the investigation is done and if there is indication of official backing, there should be an explanation to the public,” said Agung.
At the same time, Agus said, the House gives full appreciation to the police, who have been consistent in eradicating gambling cases in Indonesia. “We commend and appreciate the steps that the Indonesian Police Chief has taken, keeping his word in eradicating crime,” said Agung.
The six police generals that will be questioned are three former Regional Police Chiefs and three former Regional Police Vice Chiefs in Riau during the 2005-2008 period. But Indonesia’s General Control Inspector, Police Commissioner General Jusuf Manggabarani emphasized that these six individuals may not after all be involved in backing the underground gambling.
All police officers at managerial capacity in the Riau Police Department during the 2005-2008 period will be investigated by the Indonesian Police Profession and Security Division. The investigation would start from middle-ranking officers and all the way up to former Regional Police Chiefs.
“The Police management is in charge of planning, organizing and controlling. The six individuals have not been questioned. The questioning will be done in phases,” said Jusuf, Wednesday, Dec. 3.
“We have started summoning, 6 persons per day. Middle-ranking officers first, and then later up to the high-ranking officers,” said Jusuf. “Bottom line is, everyone involved in managerial capacity will be questioned.”
Earlier this week, on Monday, 1 December, Jusuf Manggabarani revealed that there are indications that six high ranking police officers are involved in the illegal gambling business. “There are three former regional police chiefs and three former regional police vice chiefs,” said Yusuf.
According to Head of Profession and Security Division, Inspector General Alantin Simanjuntak, aside from the six police generals, there are 60 middle-ranking officers who are also involved. “The investigation starts from the bottom,” he said.
Alantin said that the case of illegal gambling that allegedly involves police generals in the Riau Regional Police Department has occurred since 2001. “There are indications that illegal gambling has taken place for a long time in Riau,” said Alantin, Jakarta, Dec. 1. He referred to a gambling organizer who claimed to have started his operation in 2001.
Even though underground gambling in Riau has thrived since 2001, the commitment to eradicate gambling was only firmly implemented when Police General Sutanto became Indonesian Police Chief in 2004, followed by his successor, current Indonesian Police Chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri. Thus why those who were on duty between 2001 and 2004 will not be called in for questioning.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Police Chief, General Bambang Hendarso Danuri, denies allegations that there are high-ranking police officers who back the gambling business. “I affirm that none of my high-ranking officers backs the gambling business. That’s the official statement from the Indonesian Police Chief,” he said in a press conference at the Indonesian Police Headquarters, Jakarta, Wednesday, Dec. 3.
According to him, what was conveyed by Police Commissioner General Jusuf Manggabarani and Police Inspector General Alantin Simanjuntak, on Tuesday, 2 December, regarding the sanctions that have been given to high-ranking officers, including a demotion, refers to managerial responsibility and in no way does it mean they were backing gambling activities.
“Please may I have the attention of the reporters. Don’t twist the facts as if high-ranking police officers are involved in terms of backing [gambling activities],” he said, accompanied by Jusuf Manggabarani, Alantin Simanjuntak, and Police spokesperson, Inspector General Nataprawira.
The alleged involvement of high-ranking police officers was revealed in October 2008, with the arrest of the big boss of underground gambling in Riau, of Cindra Wijaya a.k.a. Acin. He, and 28 people who work for him, are still being detained in Riau Regional Police Department’s jail.
VIVAnews writers Ismoko Widjaya, Shinta Eka Puspasari, Desy Afrianti, Elin Yunita Kristanti, Arfi Bambani Amri contributed to this writing.
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