KEPPRI ANTICIPATING INCREASE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Jakarta, June 11 (ANTARA) - The province of Riau Islands is taking anticipatory steps over a possible increase in human trafficking and drug-related crimes, Riau Islands Governor Ismet Abdullash said.

He said that human trafficking and narcotic crime cases in the province could increase because it could serve as a trade lane and transit point after the region had been declared as a free trade region.

"We continue to take anticipatory steps, monitor and carry out supervision. We will take firm actions if violations are found," the governor said.

He made the remarks after opening a seminar on education at the Hajj Information Center of the Batam Center, on Thursday,
The governor said that the livelihood in Batam had been improving while cooperation among the various elements in society was also encouraging. After all, foreign and domestic investment in the economic field was also on the increase.

After the introduction of a free trade area in Batam, Bintan and Karimun islands, the industries and business activities have been growing rapidly.

He said that some regional government regulations on free trade area had been issued while some others were still waiting or its endorsement.

However he said that the good developments were made used of by certain parties to take Batam and other islands in its surrounding as a lane and transit point of their human trafficking and narcotic trade.