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