Checks on Foreign workers in Tanjung Balai

29th May 2009, from Tribun Batam

Immigration: There are about 200 foreign workers in Karimun.

From 23rd May to 2nd June, Karimun police will be checking on foreign workers as part of the security operations in preparation of the Karimun Regency presidential election on the 8th July.

The Police Commissioner Guruh Arif, Deputy Chief Police Karimun reported to the Tribune after leading the code of ethics assembly in the police Mapolres Karimun, on Wednesday.

Based on data from Karimun, there are about 200 foreign workers in Karimun. Meanwhile, there are 41 foreign citizens with a Limited Stay Permit Card (KITAS). There are 34 person who are new KITAS owner and 7 foreign citizens who are in the process of renewal.

Of the 34, 12 are Malaysians, then followed by citizens of Italy and France as much as 4 people each. India with 3 people, while Australia, Portugal, Philippines, China each accounted for 2 people. Colombia, Sri Lanka and Ukraine each person 1.

Those on extension visa must report to us once a month.

PT Saipem perfect safety record

29th May 2009
From Tribun Batam
PT Saipem Karimun Yard recorded 2 million work hours without a single accident. PT Saipem management announced the achievement during an appreciation ceremony last Wednesday(27th May). According to Susilo Hasto, PT Saipem Public Relations Coordinator, said that accidents reduce working hours(lost time injury or LTI).

In the event, the Head of Department of Labor Karimun Regency, Syafri Salisman, represantative of Karimun Regent, hopes Saipem can become an example for other companies in Karimun, even throughout Kepri province.

In Karimun itself there are 12 large companies and also other average size foreign companies. Saipem's safety in the workplace should be an example of course. The top project leader of PT Saipem, Fox Roll thanked Saipem employees and contractors working for Saipem. "Leader in safety," he said his motto in the safety of foreign companies.

He hopes Saipem has contributed to all the companies in the Karimun. "Treat safety work as a need and not a compulsion," said Fox. In the ceremony, Head of Department of Transportation, Representative Lanal Karimun closed by giving awards to the Saipem's employees and employees of contractors, PT Multi Adverindo, Waskita PT Karya, PT Boskalis, PT Putra Tidar brave and so forth.

Tighter Inspection of Passengers in Tanjung Balai

29th May 2009
From Batam Pos

In anticipation of Swine Flu from infected areas, the Karimun port health authorities have tightened the inspection for incoming visitors.

"With confirmed cases in Malaysia and Singapore, the checks on people from these areas are have tightened," said Rizaldi, Section Head of Control and Quarantine Port Health Office Class II Tanjungbalai Karimun, Thursday.

Previously only body temperature was taken from incoming passengers. Additional steps now include passengers filling in health cards which will make it easier to contact the visitors if they are in Karimun for a longer stay.

As a result of these checks, a resident from Bulu disrict Safri (31) , who just returned from visiting Malaysia was taken to the local hospital after recording a body temperature of 38 Deg C.

Port tax to be reviewed in June

Read from Batam Pos

The Department of Transportation Karimun promised to review the port tax by early June.

This was in response to the protest from members of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurants (PHRI) Karimun, with regards to the increase of the port tax from Rupiah 25k to 60k for foreign visitors, mainly from Malaysia and Singapore.

Edi Sontek, the Chairman of PHRI complained to Batam Pos recently that many hotel and wisma rooms are empty since the implementation of the new port tax.

Hotel operators are happy just to be able to survive on a daily basis, said Edi. However if there is no review of the port tax, many hotels will have to shut down. "If the visitor numbers continue to decrease, hotel closures will definitely happen. So we ask the government to understand our situation," explained Edi who accompanied PHRI Karimun Secretary, Tantimin SH.

Tourism starting to slow down in Tanjung Balai

On a recent trip to Tanjung Balai Karimun, I noticed a big difference from a year ago. The ferry trip from Kukup Malaysia was only half filled, with only a few Malaysians. Most of the passengers were Indonesians returning. Even the coffee shop operators in Kukup were complaining that they see a drop of around 30% in business. They also mentioned that the Malaysian immigration were tightening the entry requirements for Indonesians (maybe due to the economic downturn in Malaysia). More indonesians are asked to show uang tunjuk when they enter Malaysia. This is the amount of money that the Indonesians have on them to prove they are here on a social visit and can afford to pay for their stay instead of working illegally. If the visitors do not have enough uang tunjuk, they are sent back to Indonesia.

I also heard that a ferry operator from Singapore to Tanjung Balai Karimun recently cut their daily trips from 6 a day to just 3 due to low passenger load.

Maximillian hotel was quiet, even on a Saturday. The local restaurants were also very quiet. They are normally very popular with tourists who frequent them for their fresh seafood. The local Karaokes (KTV), night clubs and disco are also affected. One employee told me they are really feeling the global economic downturn now. If they have a time machine, they would love to go back a year ago!

I think there are a few different reasons why Tanjung Balai is starting to feel the pinch now. Firstly it was the economic crisis, then there is unreasonable increase in TBK's port tax from Rupiah 25k to 60k for foreigners. Recently there was a threat to shut down Villa, the brothel complex. This may have scared off some people.