inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, invited all parties to work together to improve public understanding about the proper use of digital technology to avoid online gambling and illegal online loans.

“We have to be wise in using the digital service to avoid being entangled with illegal online loans with high interest or online gambling,” says Edhie, famously called Ibas, on Wednesday(2/19/2025).

In his statement, he revealed that the number of online gambling users in 2025 have already reached 8.8 million with 80,000 of them still underage.

This condition can worsen the situation of society, especially the lower middle class, as they are increasingly pressured by the burden of debt on online gambling and online loans.

He further said that this condition can also encourage people to commit crimes, making the public spaces to be unsafe.

“They were given temporary joy, then addicted to it, and eventually trapped in huge debt, making them depressed. This could lead some of them to commit crimes. This is wrong and we have to break this circle,” explains Ibas.

According to him, the government on the one hand has made various efforts to eradicate gambling and online loans, such as blocking 5,000 accounts from 3.5 million people suspected of being involved in online loans and gambling.

The Financial Services Authority (OJK) has also succeeded in closing around 3,517 illegal online loan services that have created a total loss of around IDR 700 billion. In addition, the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) has also received 381 complaints with a total loss of IDR 202.6 billion in 2024.

However, all of that is not enough. Ibas hopes that the government can also strengthen public education about the dangers of online loans and gambling.

"Education is also needed so that the entire community can better understand the risks and alternative solutions rather than participating in online gambling and illegal online loans," he explained.

At the end of the opportunity, he also asked the government to use efficient and firm methods in eradicating online gambling activities and illegal online loans in Indonesia.

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