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