PDMTUBAN.COM-Muhammadiyah Tuban has taken proactive steps to combat the rampant online gambling that is increasingly disturbing society. By engaging mosque preachers to convey the dangers of online gambling in Friday sermons, the organization seeks to raise awareness about the risks and negative impacts of online gambling addiction.
The government has made various efforts to eradicate this phenomenon, including blocking gambling applications and websites, as well as arresting influencers who promote such practices. However, online gambling remains a serious concern in Indonesia, with cases such as suicide and domestic violence linked to gambling addiction.
Saiun Ngalim, Vice Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Local Board (PDM) Tuban, in an exclusive interview via WhatsApp with pdmtuban.com on Saturday (6/25), emphasized that online gambling has become a terrifying ‘disease’ in Indonesia, citing several tragic incidents associated with this behavior. He called for shared responsibility between the government, law enforcement agencies, religious figures, and the community to address this issue.
Saiun Ngalim expressed deep concern about the escalating phenomenon of online gambling. He stated that online gambling is not just an individual problem but has become a social epidemic threatening harmony and cohesion within society.
“We at Muhammadiyah Tuban see online gambling as a deadly social disease. Not only because of its direct harmful effects on individuals but also because of the domino effect it causes. We have heard and witnessed firsthand how online gambling tears apart social bonds, from tragic suicide cases to acts of violence within families,” said Saiun Ngalim.
He added that Muhammadiyah Tuban, through the Tabligh Council, will regularly urge preachers to provide education on the dangers of online gambling every two months. Muhammadiyah Tuban also plans to issue a circular outlining the dangers of online gambling and guidelines to avoid it.
Furthermore, Saiun Ngalim emphasized the importance of the circular to be issued by PDM Tuban. “This circular is not just a document but a guide for the community to recognize and avoid the pitfalls of online gambling. We want every household in Tuban to be protected from this negative influence,” he added.
Saiun Ngalim also mentioned online loan applications and an unnamed “green” application, which he believes also have the potential to bring similar negative impacts.
“We must be vigilant against various forms of online crimes, including those disguised in other application forms. This is a battle against crime that requires not only vigilance but also real action from all parties,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah Researcher Ismail Fahmi revealed that Indonesia ranks top as the country with the highest number of online gambling players in the world. Fahmi discovered nearly 4 million online gambling sites using government domain .go.id and suggested that the public be more active in reporting illegal gambling sites.
Fahmi stressed that addressing the issue of online gambling requires a comprehensive approach involving cooperation between the government, technology industry, society, and international institutions.
With this initiative, Muhammadiyah Tuban hopes to build a more resilient and protected community against the dangers of online gambling.
Author: Samson Thohari
