Indonesian minister calls on religious leaders to give sermons against online gambling

Mahendra said tackling online gambling is a shared responsibility that involves not just the government but also public figures, religious leaders and families.

Indonesia.- Yusril Ihza Mahendra, coordinating minister for law, human rights, immigration and correctional affairs, has urged religious leaders to alert their congregations about the risks of online gambling through their sermons. The minister made the statement after attending a meeting at the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) office in Jakarta today (November 5).

Mahendra said gambling is rarely addressed in religious sermons. He said: “For the last five years, I have never heard any sermon about online gambling. The preachers always speak about hell but forget to speak about real issues faced by our people.”

The minister said tackling online gambling was a shared responsibility that involves not just the government. He said: “Parents, religious figures, teachers, and public figures are obliged to remind the people to avoid gambling.”

Describing gambling as an activity that erodes religious and traditional values, Mahendra cited the Social Affairs Ministry’s report, which found that over 600,000 social assistance recipients had taken part in online gambling. He reiterated the government’s commitment to combat online gambling, saying it would implement strict measures “targeting both organizers and participants while also promoting public awareness.”

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Mahendra said tackling online gambling is a shared responsibility that involves not just the government but also public figures, religious leaders and families. Indonesia.- Yusril Ihza Mahendra, coordinating minister for…