Batam lacks prosecutors

Batam lacks prosecutors

BATAM, Riau: The State Prosecutor's Office in Batam, Riau,
said on Wednesday that a lack of prosecutors was impeding the law
enforcement process on Batam island, Riau province.

He said that his office could tackle only 30 percent of the
cases submitted to it in 2002.

"I have made some proposals seeking additional prosecutors
from the Attorney General's Office but so far none have been
appointed," Zulkarnain said.

The State Prosecutor's Office on the island had been working
with only eleven prosecutors since 1997.

"Every prosecutor has to handle up to seven cases per week.
The have no time off. We really are in dire need of extra
prosecutors as the crime rate here is quite high," Zulkarnain
explained. --JP