Key points:
- Former Minister Budi Arie Setiadi was questioned in connection with an online gambling case involving ministry officials
- 28 suspects were identified in the case, with 24 arrested and four on the wanted list
- Setiadi emphasised the importance of collective efforts to combat online gambling in Indonesia
Indonesia's former Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, appeared at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta as a witness in an ongoing investigation into online gambling operations involving ministry officials.
During his two-hour questioning session, Setiadi emphasised his commitment to assisting law enforcement in their investigation, stating: "As a law-abiding citizen, I am obliged to assist the police in completing the eradication of online gambling cases within the ministry."
The case has already led to significant developments, with the Jakarta Metro Police's Directorate of General Criminal Investigation identifying 28 suspects.
Inspector General Karyoto confirmed that 24 suspects have been arrested, while four individuals remain on the wanted list.
Setiadi, who served as Minister from July 2023 to October 2024, declined to provide specific details about the investigation, directing inquiries about the substance of his testimony to the appropriate authorities.
Good to know: Setiadi’s questioning was confirmed by Brigadier General Arief Adiharsa, Deputy Chief of the Police's Corruption Eradication Corps
More generally, the former minister emphasised the growing concern over online gambling in Indonesia, stating that its eradication requires "consistency and determination" to protect the community.
The investigation emerged following the Jakarta Metro Police's discovery of online gambling operations involving employees at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, formerly known as the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
