MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA — The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Anwar Abbas commended the Indonesian National Police for their recent success in dismantling an online gambling operation involving officials from the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
Anwar Abbas emphasized the detrimental effects of online gambling on society, particularly on the economically disadvantaged.
“The success of the Metro Jaya Regional Police in arresting the suspects involved in the online gambling operation in Galaxy, Bekasi, is commendable. This activity has caused great distress to the public, especially to the lower class,” said Anwar Abbas on Friday, November 1.
Citing data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), Anwar Abbas noted that approximately 2.1 million impoverished Indonesians are currently addicted to online gambling. Between 2017 and 2022, there were 156 million transactions worth around IDR 190 trillion flowing out of the country linked to online gambling activities.
Anwar Abbas expressed concern over the significant economic loss caused by these illicit activities.
“Such a large amount of money should have circulated in the domestic economy but instead has flowed to other countries,” he stressed.
Beyond the economic implications, Anwar Abbas highlighted the severe psychological consequences of online gambling addiction. The addictive nature of these games makes it difficult for individuals to quit, while gambling operators exploit this dependency for profit. This cycle exacerbates the already precarious economic situation of many Indonesians.
Islamic Perspective on Gambling
The Muhammadiyah Council for Religious and Tajdid issued a fatwa declaring all forms of gambling, including online gambling, as haram (forbidden) in Islam. The Qur’an, in Surah Al-Ma’idah verse 90, explicitly prohibits gambling, categorizing it as an evil of Satan’s handiwork that must be avoided by Muslims.
To combat the pervasive issue of online gambling, Anwar Abbas emphasized the importance of raising public awareness that gambling is haram and brings detrimental effects. Collective efforts are essential to educate the public to avert all forms of gambling and addition to the activities.
