Chinese Citizens Fight In Galang Bintan SEZ, One Person Dies

A number of workers in the Special Economic Zone in Galang, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, which is managed by PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia. ANTARA/Nikolas Panama

TANJUNGPINANG - The Bintan District Police in the Riau Archipelago is still investigating the case of a fight between two Chinese citizens that left one of them dead in the Galang Special Economic Zone, which is managed by PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (BAI).

Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Bintan Police, Iptu Mohammad D Ardiyaniki, said that until now his party is still handling the case in accordance with applicable legal provisions. A number of witnesses who know about the incident have been questioned by investigators.

"We ensure that the further case handling process is in accordance with the legal corridors in force in Indonesia, professionally and proportionally by the Bintan Police," he said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, May 25.

Based on initial information, the two Chinese citizens worked at a subcontractor company PT BAI in the employee dormitory in the Galang SEZ area. The witness in the incident said that the two of them had an argument over a work contract issue at around 21.00 WIB on Tuesday (24/5).

The fight started from a verbal argument until finally a fist fight using sharp weapons so that one person died and another person was in critical condition.

Since last night, the police have continued to follow the health developments of the Chinese citizen, and take information from the Chinese citizen if his condition allows. "After the fight broke out, both of them were evacuated to the Tanjungpinang Navy Hospital. One person is still being treated intensively," he said.

The director of PT BAI, Santoni, regretted the incident, although he was reluctant to comment on the matter. "I'm still in Jakarta," he said.