Police blasted over gambling inaction

BATAM, Riau: The Batam Muslim Young Preachers' Association (IDM) has lashed out at Riau Police for failing to crack down on gambling on the industrial island.

IDM deputy chairman Iskandar Zulkarnaen said police had failed to follow up on an investigation into gambling in a casino at Batam's Tering Bay Resort.

Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Deddy Komaruddin has named Batam tourism office head Buralimar as a key suspect in the case, but the charges against him were not followed up, Zulkarnaen said.

He told The Jakarta Post that he had received information that Komaruddin and Barelang Police chief Sr. Comr. Suhartono would be replaced soon, adding that this could complicate the handling of the case.

Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir was also charged with involvement in the gambling legalization, though the status of the case is unclear.