BP2MI Chief to Testify on Alleged Online Gambling Kingpin

Jakarta. Benny Rhamdani, the Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), claimed in a forum that an individual known as “T” is orchestrating online gambling operations in Indonesia. Rhamdani is set to provide testimony regarding his statement to the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police (Bareskrim Polri) on Monday, July 29.

“I am fully prepared to attend,” Rhamdani said on Saturday.

Djuhandhani Rahardjo Puro, Director of General Crimes at Bareskrim Polri, confirmed the ongoing investigation and Rhamdani’s role as a witness.

“We have summoned the Head of BP2MI to appear as a witness on Monday,” Puro told reporters on Friday.

Previously, Rhamdani had publicly identified “T” as the person controlling online gambling in Indonesia during a speech at the Inauguration and Briefing of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Volunteer Community (Kawan PMI) in Medan, as seen in a video posted by BP2MI on Thursday.

Rhamdani claimed that both President Joko Widodo and Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo were shocked by his report, stating that “T” had remained untouchable by the law despite his known identity.

“The President was surprised, the Police Chief was surprised; it was quite a stir during the meeting. This individual has remained untouchable by the law,” he said.

Rhamdani urged for decisive action against those involved in online gambling, stressing that the law must reach the masterminds.

Meanwhile, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) is analyzing 4 million records related to online gambling. Of these, 2,000 are suspected to be operators, according to PPATK Chief Ivan Yustiviandana.

“We’re not afraid of the online gambling operators; PPATK is analyzing 4 million records, and we suspect 2,000 of them are operators. There are many initials involved,” Yustiviandana said on Friday.

Yustiviandana emphasized that PPATK’s role is to provide data to law enforcement agencies for further action. He also responded to Rhamdani’s assertion that the individual “T” is untouchable by law.

“I don’t believe it’s about being above the law. It’s about proving that ‘T’ has indeed violated criminal laws,” he clarified. “We cannot say someone is untouchable. It’s best to ask Benny what he means by that.”

Yustiviandana also highlighted that PPATK’s task force will handle the issue comprehensively.

“Recent meetings have clarified that Bareskrim will handle the matter fully. There’s no fear regarding where this will lead,” he concluded.

 Communication and Information Technology Minister Budi Arie Setiadi claims his ministry has saved the state Rp 45 trillion ($2.8 billion) by blocking 2.6 million online gambling sites.

Budi Arie also revealed that his department had closed 6,700 bank accounts and e-wallets used for online gambling transactions to curb the rate of online gambling.

These efforts aim to reduce the volume of online gambling transactions in Indonesia, which amounted to Rp 327 trillion in 2023.

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