Kendari rejects Tomy Winata money

Kendari rejects Tomy Winata money

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: In the third rally in six days, 100
reporters from the provincial capital of Kendari gathered on
Wednesday to reject Tomy Winata's investment plans in the
province as part of a nationwide protest against the Tempo
incident in Jakarta.

Local reporters raised concerns that investments from Tomy
would invite thuggery into the province.

"Thuggery is part of terrorism, so all of us must fight it,"
said Kompas's reporter in Kendari, Yamin Indas.

He was referring to the attack on Tempo staff by Tomy's
supporters earlier this month. Reporters and activists
throughout the country have gone all out to condemn the incident.

Tomy, who owns the Artha Graha business group, has been in
Kendari since Tuesday. It remains unclear what his intentions in
the province entail.

He has reportedly donated 10 motorcycles to local police and
offered a scholarship of Rp 2 billion (about US$224,000) to the
Haluoleo University in Kendari.

Yamin said the media supported any investor wanting to come to
the province, but would reject investments linked to thuggery. --
Antara