Deadly Rough Sea for Returning Illegal Immigrants

This is a bad month for seafarers. Over the last 2 weeks, 3 boats have sank whilst carrying returning illegal immigrants from Malaysia. More than 10 lives have been lost. This is due to the high waves as well as the lack of safety measures in the boats that carry these illegal immigrants. Tanjung Balai is a destination for returning illegal immigrants from Malaysia who do not carry any proper travel documentation.

These boats come from Kukup, Tanjung Piai Pontian and Tanjung Pelepas Port, Malaysia. Their destintation is Tanjung Balai Karimun, Indonesia.

Tourists numbers descending

From Gustia Benny, Batam Pos

The Department of transportation, Karimun regency reviewed the application of the increase in port tax. There was a decrease in foreign tourists but the number is not too significant, only about 5 percent.

The port authorities have decided to keep the increase in port tax and will only review the increase if the number of foreign tourist drops by 30 percent or more.

Karimun street curbs freed from traders

From Tribun Batam

Most of Tanjung Balai's street curbs/walkways are being used by traders as places to store merchandise, flower pots and also used for motor cycle parking. In fact the walkways main purpose is for pedestrian use.

There was a raid by local authorities on Mon, 1st June. This was to impress upon the traders that the walkways is for pedestrian use only, not as part of the trader's selling area.

Roads such as Jln Nusantara, Jln Pramuka and Jln A Yani are not very pedestrian friendly. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the main roads, which can be quite dangerous with the heavy flow of traffic.

The local authorities have given warning that this will not be tolerated and action will be taken soon if the traders do not clear up the problem.