For many small families in remote areas of Southwest Papua, a piece of lottery paper is no longer just a guess at a number. It has become a shadow that robs them of their peace.
Behind the high stakes lies the loss of grocery money, children dropping out of school, and the gradual collapse of the future of villagers.
These concerns are not mere idle fears. National data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reveals a grim reality: approximately 80 percent of gamblers come from lower-class backgrounds, with an average daily transaction of Rp 100,000.
Money that should have circulated within the village to buy fish from fishermen, vegetables from farmers, or shop at neighborhood stalls, now simply evaporates into the pockets of the dealers. As a result, the grassroots economy has come to a complete standstill. Stalls are deserted, businesses are in disarray, and social ripples are beginning to emerge—from rising chain debt, cases of crop theft, to the breakdown of households.
Seeing this heartbreaking reality increasingly familiar in everyday life, the Indonesian Democratic Youth of Southwest Papua Province finally decided to take action. They brought the cries of the common people directly to the ears of law enforcement.
“We believe that the practice of lottery gambling should not be allowed to become a part of people’s lives. Gambling is not only a legal issue, but can also have social and economic impacts, especially on families and the lower classes,” said Jamaludin, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Youth Party (YPD) for Southwest Papua.
Crossing City Boundaries, Combing Villages:
Until now, anti-gambling operations have often been seen only on main roads or in major city centers. However, the harmful effects of these mystical numbers have spread far, reaching even the kitchens of remote villages far from the public eye.
This illegal money circulation is real and massive. Law enforcement records from the Papua Regional Police even revealed that a lottery gambling network operating in Papua could generate revenues of up to Rp 2 billion in a single day. Imagine how much hard-earned money villagers are siphoned off daily for the empty dreams sold by the bookies.
Therefore, Jamaludin emphasized that the fight to protect the community must not be half-hearted. Eradication must reach all regencies and cities in Southwest Papua, leaving no one behind.
“We demand that the Chief of the Southwest Papua Regional Police be firm and decisive in eradicating lottery gambling. If any gambling practices are discovered, take firm action according to the law. Don’t just pursue retailers on the ground, but also investigate the bookies, networks, and those behind them,” Jamaludin pleaded bitterly.
Stop Catching “Small Fish”
In practice, it’s often small retailers who get caught up in the legal maelstrom. They are ordinary citizens tempted by the need for quick profits. Meanwhile, the big bosses who control this illicit business remain free to breathe fresh air and enjoy wealth at the expense of the common people.
On a macro scale, the scale of this illicit business is truly appalling. The Ministry of Communication and Digital, along with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) , projects that potential economic losses from gambling activities in Indonesia could reach Rp1,100 trillion if not combated thoroughly. This huge sum of money is enjoyed by the big bookies, while the village economy slowly stagnate as the cash that should be circulating there is siphoned off by gambling networks.
For Jamaludin, enforcement that only targets the grassroots will never solve the problem. Society needs real change, not just endless legal dramas.
“Don’t just catch small fish. If you really want to eradicate lottery gambling, dismantle the network. Who the bookies are, who controls it, where the transactions come from, and anyone proven to be involved must be prosecuted according to the law,” he stressed.
He also added, “We don’t want the eradication of lottery gambling to be just a temporary operation. The public needs concrete and sustained action. Close down venues used for gambling transactions, take action against networks found to be violating the law, and ensure that no one is above the law.”
Five Hopes for the Future of Southwest Papua
As a manifestation of its moral responsibility to maintain the peace of life of its citizens, this youth organization has formulated five main demands to the Chief of Police of Southwest Papua:
1. Clean Without a Trace: Immediately eradicate lottery gambling throughout Southwest Papua.
2. Fair Law: Take firm action against any party proven to be involved in gambling practices in accordance with legal provisions.
3. Cut Off the Snake’s Head: Dismantle gambling networks and bookies, not just low-level perpetrators.
4. No Protective Umbrella: Ensure there is no practice of toleration or protection against illegal gambling activities.
5. Moving with the People: Conduct eradication operations in a sustainable and transparent manner with community participation.
This hope is born purely from a deep longing for a land of Papua that is peaceful, economically healthy, and safe for the growth and development of children and grandchildren.
“We want Southwest Papua to be a safe, orderly, and gambling-free region. Therefore, we ask the Southwest Papua Police Chief to demonstrate courage and firmness in enforcing the law. We must not allow lottery gambling to grow and damage our society,” Jamaludin concluded.
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