At the APEC summit, Indonesian President Prabowo emphasized that illegal online gambling poses a serious threat to national economy and social stability, and urged the international community to strengthen cooperation to address this challenge. He pointed out that gambling activities lead to massive capital outflow and may trigger broader social issues.
Summit Background and Presidential Appeal
At the recent APEC summit held in South Korea, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on leaders from countries including China and South Korea to join in combating illegal online gambling. He clearly stated that this issue has transcended national borders and requires transnational collaboration to curb, and to extend to combating smuggling, corruption, and other crimes. The summit, themed "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow," attracted representatives from 21 countries, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation.
Economic and Social Threat Analysis
In his speech, Prabowo revealed that Indonesia loses about 8 billion USD annually (approximately 133 trillion Indonesian Rupiah) due to online gambling, with capital outflows directly impacting the national economy. He also cited reports from the Jakarta Globe, indicating that gambling not only poses financial risks but can also undermine social cohesion and lead to cybercrimes such as data theft. Additionally, a study published in The Lancet showed that approximately 72 million people globally suffer from gambling harm, and digital platforms have exacerbated this issue, with a United Nations report also identifying Southeast Asia as a hotbed for cybercrime.
Domestic Measures in Indonesia
To curb illegal gambling, the Indonesian government has taken several actions. In August this year, the Financial Services Authority ordered banks to freeze nearly 26,000 related accounts and enhanced due diligence, using the national identity database to screen for suspicious activities. The Minister of Law, Yusril, further emphasized the focus on financial institutions as the root cause, by tracking and seizing criminal proceeds to block the expansion of gambling operations. He also called for the involvement of the religious community in public education to address the lack of awareness about the real issues.
Global Cooperation and Future Outlook
Prabowo advocates for "global solidarity" to enhance digital security and technological capabilities, while also supporting the development of small and medium enterprises and improving healthcare systems. The Indonesian side expressed its continued promotion of cooperation under the APEC framework, aimed at preventing crime and leveraging the demographic dividend. Analysts believe that the trend towards specialization of transnational criminal groups requires a more efficient international response to ensure regional stability.
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