Aussie businessman faces expulsion

PADANG, West Sumatra: Provincial authorities have threatened to revoke the working permit of Australian Rick Camerron for allegedly misusing the name of Governor Zainal Bakar to promote his surfing company on Mentawai island.

The governor's assistant, Rusdi Djabar, said Camerron had claimed that his company, PT Mentawai Wisata Bahari, had been authorized to manage the surfing zone in Nyang Nyang, Silabu-labu and Katiet beach.

Camerron works as a marketing manager of the company, and his resident visa will expire in October.

"Camerron also illegally collected US$5 from each tourist surfer visiting the beach," Rusdi complained.

Camerron's lawyer, Boy Yendra Tamin, insisted his client had received official approval from Mentawai Regent Badril Bakar to manage the beach and to collect the fee. (28)