Two Chinese tourists arrested in Maumere

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Two Chinese nationals were arrested in the East Nusa Tenggara regency of Sikka for allegedly misusing their tourist visas, police said on Wednesday.

Zhang Changgong, 30, and Ke Su Ping, 27, were detained at the Wini Wai II Hotel by Sikka district police officers on Monday, one day after their arrival from the East Java capital of Surabaya.

Sikka Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. F.X. Bagus Wahono said the suspects were arrested selling dozens of merchandises they had reportedly smuggled in from China.

Police seized the commercial goods, such as electronics, wrist watches and clothes. "This proves they have violated their visas," Wahono commented. He also added that police were holding the two suspects for questioning.

He said the two Chinese suspects were being charged with violating Article 50 of the Immigration Law, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a Rp 25 million fine. --JP