PRIME NEWS POST
HALMAHERA — Albert Hama, SH., MH., Head of the Youth, School‑Student and University‑Student Division on the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian National Student Movement Alumni Association (PA GMNI) as well as Chairman of the Indonesian Melanesian Scholars Forum (FORKAMSI), has voiced his full support for National Police Chief General of Police Suyudi Ario Seto’s commitment to accelerate the eradication of online gambling and illegal online lending, two long‑standing problems troubling Indonesian communities.
He welcomed the Police Chief’s push for stronger law enforcement together with coordinated work with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) to build a safer digital space free of cybercrime.
According to Albert, the consistent rollout of plans to crack down on and fully block online‑gambling and illegal‑lending services will represent a major step toward shielding the public from digital‑crime threats.
“This is a policy that deserves our support. We fully back National Police Chief Suyudi Ario Seto. People have suffered the harmful effects of online gambling and illegal online loans for far too long. It is time for firm, concrete, and sustainable action to stamp these practices out,” Albert stated.
He explained that online gambling is more than just an illegal internet activity. It damages household finances, creates crippling debt, breaks family stability, and endangers the future of young people.
Likewise, illegal online lending often comes bundled with personal‑data misuse, intimidation, threats, and inhumane debt‑collection practices.
## More Than Blocking Websites: Crack Down on Bookmakers and Criminal Networks
Albert stressed that the crackdown on online gambling must not stop at blocking websites and mobile applications. Law‑enforcement officers must trace the full network of bookmakers, operators, funders, money‑transfer trails, and every party proven to be involved in the schemes.
He warned that blocking sites without dismantling the underlying criminal network will only allow the gambling operations to reappear on new websites and platforms.
“Our hope is that this crackdown reaches the root of the problem. Do not only block the front‑end sites; uncover the networks behind them. Investigators must identify who the bookmakers are, who runs the operations, and where the money flows, all carried out through a professional legal process,” he emphasized.
Albert also called for a serious, coordinated crackdown on illegal online lending involving the National Police, Komdigi, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and all other relevant agencies.
Cross‑institutional collaboration, he said, is critical to prevent fragmented enforcement work and deliver maximum protection for members of the public.
He further encouraged citizens to support the anti‑cybercrime effort by actively reporting any illegal activity they encounter.
Albert added that the Police Chief’s commitment must move beyond statements and turn into real, transparent, measurable, and sustained action.
“When the National Police Chief asks for the public’s backing to fight online gambling and illegal online loans, we believe that request deserves a positive response. This work is being carried out for the people’s interests. We want families protected, and young people kept from being pulled into cycles of gambling and digital crime,” Albert said.
Closing his statement, Albert reaffirmed his full support for National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto’s program to strengthen enforcement against online gambling and illegal online lending.
“The National Police must continue to be present for the community. We support the Police Chief’s work to create a safe, crime‑free digital environment. We hope this commitment is fully realized, so the fight against online gambling and illegal online lending is not just talk, but delivers real, tangible change felt by the Indonesian people,” Albert Hama concluded.
