Sand exports criticized

Sand exports criticized

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Bureau of Statistics on Thursday urged the Batam Island authorities to make transparent the exports of sand from the island to Singapore.

The head of the bureau's Batam office, Syafei, said the bureau had thus far been unable to obtain accurate figures on the volume and value of the sand exported from the island to Singapore.

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore said Singaporeans import sand from Batam, Riau, at the price of US$5 and $6 per cubic meter, Antara reported.

But, according to Syafei, the island authorities said the sand was sold for $1 and $2 per cubic meter.

He suspected that brokers or officials in the island's authorities had taken most of the earnings from the sand sales. (ask)