Preachers demand arrest of mayor

Preachers demand arrest of mayor

BATAM, Riau: A group of Muslim preachers demanded on Monday
that the local police bring Mayor Nyat Kadir and Deputy Mayor
Asman Abnur to justice for their alleged involvement in the
opening of a casino in the Tering Bay resort here.

Iskandar Zulkarnaen, representing the Batam Association of
Muslim Preachers, said the police were unfair for declaring the
head of the municipal tourism agency, Buralimar, the sole suspect
in the case.

"How come a municipality agency head dared to sign a contract
with a company without the knowledge of the mayor, who is his or
her boss?" Iskandar said.

He was referring to a memorandum of understanding signed by
Buralimar and PT Dewa Menara Wisata on the operation of an
integrated tourist resort in the Tering Bay area, which would
include a casino.

Gambling is banned under Indonesian law.

Batam Police chief Sr. Comr. Suhartono refused to accede to
the demand, saying the investigation of the case had been taken
over by the provincial police.

Separately, Asman also declined to comment on reports that he
owned shares in the resort management company. -- JP

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Across-Ambon-AIDS
Thais with AIDS die in Ambon
JP/5/ACROSS

Thais with AIDS die in Ambon

AMBON, Maluku: Two Thai nationals who died recently of AIDS
have been buried here, an Indonesian Navy officer said on Monday.

Commander of the Ambon naval base Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sadong said
the Thais, identified as Sajian and Tong Sri, died earlier this
month after two weeks receiving treatment in the Navy Hospital.
They were buried in Kebun Cengkeh public cemetery in Sirimau
district.

The two worked as sailors of a vessel serving fishing
companies operating out of Ambon, the capital of Maluku.

Sadong said it remained unclear how long the Thai nationals
had been living with the virus.

The vessel on which the two worked was quarantined at Halong
naval base for further investigation, which later found that two
more sailors had contracted with the virus.

The fishing boat has been sent back home, along with the two
other sailors with full-blown AIDS, Sadong said.

HIV/AIDS cases have been rarely reported in Maluku. -- Antara

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Across-Pekanbaru-haze
Rain, smog sour city celebration
JP/5/ACROSS

Rain, smog sour city celebration

PEKANBARU, Riau: Pekanbaru's 219th anniversary celebration on
Monday was spoiled by a heavy downpour and thick haze.

Antara reported visibility in the Riau capital was restricted
to just 100 meters, forcing motorists to slow down.

Later heavy rain caused drains in many parts of the city to
overflow and flood the roads, with putrid garbage left everywhere
as a result.

On the eve of the anniversary on Sunday evening, thousands of
people took to the city's main thoroughfare of Jl. Gadjah Mada,
where the festivities were centered. Mayor Herman Abdullah joined
the celebrations.

A number of performances were staged during the party, which
ended at midnight.