Batam conducts raids on migrants

Batam conducts raids on migrants

BATAM, Riau: The Batam administration has launched an
operation in the island's airport and seaports following the Idul
Fitri holiday, to prevent people from migrating to the densely-
populated island.

"We have deployed government officers at the airport and
seaports in anticipation of the entrance of job seekers who are
not holders of identity cards indicating they live on the
island," Said Hasyim, chief of the local population office, said
here on Thursday.

He said that during the operation that would be conducted
until early next month, all people who do not have the necessary
documents would be barred from entering the island.

"The operation is conducted to enforce a bylaw that prohibits
the migration of unskilled job seekers to the island," he said,
adding that only job seekers who have been recommended by
companies in Batam were allowed to migrate to the island.
--Antara

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Across-tragedy-South Sumatra
Silk Air tragedy commemorated in Palembang
JP/7/Across

Silk Air tragedy remembered

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Dozens of Singaporean and Japanese
families were in the city on Wednesday to commemorate the Silk
Air plane crash that killed 104 people on Dec. 19, 1997.

They prayed and placed a floral wreath on the Musi river where
the Silk Air plane's wreckage was found days after it exploded
during its flight from Jakarta to Singapore.

Aron Ng, a relative of a stewardess who was killed in the
tragedy, said he had visited the city annually to commemorate the
tragedy.

Hirosi Hirakawa, representing the victims' families, conveyed
their appreciation to South Sumatra Governor Rosihan Arsyad for
the services rendered by the local administration and for taking
care of the monument established near the river in remembrance of
the tragedy's victims. --Antara

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Across-marijuana-West Nusa Tenggara
Marijuana trafficker arrested in Bima
JP/7/Across

Marijuana trafficker arrested in Bima

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Bima Police have arrested a man
identified as Ricky for the possession of 250 grams of dried
marijuana.

"The suspect was arrested when he was making a transaction
with three consumers -- David, Ronald and Bendo -- in Rasane
Timur in Bima regency," Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Susanto, chief of the
Bima Police precinct, said here on Thursday.

He said the police had also confiscated 1.5 kilograms of dried
marijuana from three suspects whose case was being handled by the
local attorney's office.

"We still have to investigate where the marijuana is supplied
from," he said, adding that the consumption of marijuana and
illegal drugs has increased in the regency this year.

He said he had proposed that law enforcers, especially judges,
impose stiffer penalties on drug traffickers and consumers in an
attempt to fight the increasing number of drug cases in Bima
regency. --Antara

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Across-Killing-Aceh
Two elite soldiers killed in Aceh
JP/7/Across

Two elite soldiers killed in Aceh

JAKARTA: Two soldiers of the Army's Special Force (Kopassus)
were killed in an exchange of gunfire with the Free Aceh Movement
(GAM) rebels in Teunom, West Aceh, on Wednesday.

Kopasuss spokesman Capt. Rano Tilaar confirmed on Thursday
that the two soldiers identified as First Private Arianto and
First Private Syaiful Anwar were killed while conducting a patrol
in a village in Teunom.

"The bodies of the two soldiers are scheduled to arrive in
Jakarta for burial," he said.

He said that during the incident, another Kopassus soldier
also suffered gunshot wounds and a rebel identified as Yunus was
shot dead. --Antara

Log thieves arrested in Samarinda

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Samarinda Police arrested seven
people suspected of stealing logs belonging to a timber company
PT Kalhol Utama Samarinda on Wednesday.

Sr. Comr. Setyanto, chief of the Samarinda Police, said the
seven identified as Ar, 31, Su, 28, He, 19, Ar, 26, So, 27, Im,
29, and a minor, were nabbed because they tried to resist police
arrest.

"The police shot one of the suspects when they ignored three
warning shots. The injured suspect is undergoing medical
treatment at the police hospital," he said.

He said the police also seized four vessels which were used to
steal the logs. --Antara