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