Batam defends legalized gambling

Batam defends legalized gambling

BATAM, Riau: Despite strong protests from some members of the public, the Batam municipal administration has issued a permit to PT Dewa Menara Wisata to manage gambling in the Tering Bay resort, Nongsa.

The Batam mayor's public administration assistant, Asyari Abbas, confirmed the issuance of the permit but said he was not involved in the decision-making process.

He said the municipality had made the decision on the grounds that the company would invest Rp 500 billion, contribute to the local development program and employ local people.

The Independent Anticorruption Organization (Bakin) has filed a complaint against Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir, the chief of the local tourism office and the company's president, with the state prosecutor's office in Batam.

Last June, a resident was killed when he and hundreds of others went on strike in the Tering Bay resort to protest against gambling on the island.

Zulkarnain, the chief of the local state prosecutor's office, said it was too early to probe the case as there was no evidence as yet that gambling had been legalized. --JP