Indonesia casino proposal faces tough opposition
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s leading Islamic body, has criticised a legislator’s claims that casinos could be legalised for foreign nationals in regions such as Jakarta, Batam or Bali, warning lawmakers to ‘not even think about legalizing gambling to increase state revenue.’
MUI Deputy Chairman Anwar Abbas claimed the suggestion ‘clearly violates both religious principles and the Indonesian constitution.’
Mr Abbas said: “Indonesia is a nation of culture and faith. We must seek halal ways to improve public welfare rather than opening the door to practices that are clearly forbidden by religion. If the government takes the wrong path, such as legalizing gambling, it will not only create economic issues but also damage the social and moral fabric of the nation.”
STIE Ekuitas academic Vidya Ramadhan started the debate by highlighting that casino development would boost the economy in special economic zones, where legislation would override general legal prohibitions under the penal code, whilst still banning locals from gambling.
Member of Parliament Galih Kartasasmita lent his support during a parliamentary budget session in April, highlighting that the United Arab Emirates, a country with Islamic laws, was opening a casino.
International relations expert Hikmahanto Juwana agreed with the sentiment, suggesting that state-owned casinos in limited locations would prevent the rise of illegal online platforms.
By By Riza Nugraha ? from Utrecht, The Netherlands – The Famous BromoUploaded by PDTillman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7001671
