Jakarta. An international relations expert recently said ASEAN countries should join forces to combat online gambling at the group’s upcoming summit in Laos as many Indonesians deal with the addiction.

The Indonesian government recently reported that many of the online gambling websites were linked to ASEAN members, the Philippines and Cambodia. Communications Minister Budi Arie recently instructed telecommunications providers to cut internet access to online gambling sites, mainly those from the said two countries. The Financial Transactions Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) revealed not long ago that it had discovered online gambling-linked money worth over Rp 5 trillion ($305.6 million) flowing into ASEAN countries.

Laos is assuming this year’s ASEAN chairmanship and will hold the bloc’s summit this October. This is the perfect time for ASEAN leaders to discuss what they can do to address online gambling.

“The ASEAN Summit should include online gambling in its agenda,” expert Teuku Rezasyah said Thursday.

According to Teuku, ASEAN members must keep in mind how detrimental online gambling is to the economy and people. ASEAN countries is home to many bookmakers, hence why the bloc needs to discuss the issue in its high-level meetings.  Teuku added: "There were ASEAN protocol violations. It takes not only the police [to solve online gambling]. We also need diplomatic efforts.” 

Teuku said the ASEAN chiefs of national police --better known as Aseanapol-- should play a role in the crackdown against online gambling. And the Indonesian police should intensify its partnership with its ASEAN counterparts. Teuku also called for a “plan of action” for more effective measures against the crime.

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