Police to question Batam mayor

Police to question Batam mayor

BATAM, Riau: Riau Governor Saleh Djasit has given the police
permission to question Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir about a casino that
has been operating as a legal amusement center on the island.

"The governor approved the questioning of the mayor. We expect
the police to do its best to get to the bottom of the case," the
deputy governor for administrative affairs, R.A. Aziz, said on
Thursday.

He was referring to the legalized operation of a casino in the
Tering Bay Resort, which contravenes the nationwide ban on
gambling.

Kadir gave PT Dewa Menara Wisata permission in January to
legally operate the casino in the Tering Bay Resort. He later
revoked the permit after coming under public pressure to enforce
the gambling ban indiscriminately.

Kadir said that by allowing the casino to operate, he hoped to
eliminate the illegal gambling centers, karaoke clubs and massage
parlors that have flourished on the island.

Aziz said that not only should the police question Kadir, they
should also raid all gambling centers in Batam.

Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Deddy S. Komaruddin said earlier
that the police planned to question Kadir and Batam Council
Speaker Taba Iskandar as witnesses in the case. Officers have
already questioned Batam Tourism Agency head Buralimar.

Batam is an industrial island with a fast-growing economy
thanks to investment from neighboring Singapore. -- JP