Jokowi stresses that online gambling victims to receive no social aid

Karanganyar, Central Java (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) minced no words in declaring that the government would not provide social assistance to those falling victim to online gambling practices.

“No aid,” the president emphasized after inspecting irrigation water pumping in Karanganyar District, Central Java, on Wednesday.

The head of state also underlined that the government had ruled out the possibility of providing social assistance targeted at families economically affected by online gambling. “No aid,” he reiterated.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) Muhadjir Effendy clarified that his side was discussing the plan to provide social aid that would exclusively be available to the affected family members and not the actual online gamblers.

“Note my statement in entirety. We do believe that online gambling players must face legal consequences, as they are considered criminals. What I meant by social aid here is assistance dedicated to their children, wife, or husband,” he remarked on Monday (June 17).

Effendy made the statement in response to the people’s reactions on social media to the discourse on social aid brought forward by the PMK Coordinating Ministry.

According to Effendy, such social aid could economically assist family members affected by online gambling, thereby protecting them from consequent mental pressure.

The minister further explained that his office proposed the provision of aid for online gambling victims to complement the establishment of the Task Force for Eradicating Online Gambling.

The task force, whose working period will last until December 31 this year, was formed on June 14 following Presidential Decree No. 21 of 2024 issued by President Joko Widodo.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto chairs the task force, while Minister Effendy serves as his deputy.

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