Buton island base for smuggling

Buton island base for smuggling

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The Wangi-wangi island in the
Buton regency has reportedly become a base for smuggling rice
overseas, particularly to Singapore and Malaysia.

The head of the regency's information office Amir Manab
said he had not received official reports but said the island had
become a center for smuggling goods overseas particularly
garments and electronics.

The island is in the Wakatobi islands, formerly known as the
Tukang Besi islands.

"If the reports are true, related offices should handle it
immediately, to avoid rice shortages in Southeast Sulawesi," Amir
said.

Antara quoted sources as saying that almost every week
motorboats loaded with rice headed for Singapore and Malaysia.

The sources said the smugglers were locals who acquired the
rice from the regencies of Buton, Kendari, Muna and Kabupaten
Kolaka, and even South Sulawesi.

Apart from buying rice from farmers sold for at least Rp
10,000 per kilogram, the sources said the rice sold overseas also
included the government-subsidized rice allocated to the poor.

Regent Saidoe said the local military and police have
requested an investigation into the problem.