Two questioned over baby trade

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Police in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, are questioning two women suspected of attempting to sell two newborn babies in Pontianak last Thursday.

West Kalimantan Police spokesman Comr. Suhadi said on Saturday that the two women, Mar, 37, and Lia, 29, were apprehended in a hotel room on Jl. Gajah Mada with the two babies -- one boy and one girl.

"There is strong evidence that the babies were to be sold outside of West Kalimantan," Suhadi was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday. He did not elaborate.

The women reportedly told the police that the babies were to be sold to people on Batam in Riau, but the police suspect that they were to be sent to Malaysia.

The women were apparently staying in the hotel waiting for buyers.

The two babies have been taken to Harapan Anda Hospital on Jl. Wahid Hasyim in Pontianak. --Antara