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Chinese citizens arrested over pearl business
Mataram authorities in West Nusa Tenggara have arrested two Chinese citizens for allegedly running a pearl shop illegally.
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Mataram Immigration Office head Romi Yudianto (center) is seen at the Mataram Immigration Office in West Nusa Tenggara on Tuesday with two Chinese citizens (seated) who were arrested for allegedly operating an illegal pearl business. (JP/Panca Nugraha)
Mataram authorities in West Nusa Tenggara have arrested two Chinese citizens for allegedly running a pearl shop illegally.
The two men, identified as YNK, 45, and WCM, 43, reportedly used 30-day tourist visas to enter Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, Banten, in May 2016, “but they [later] opened a pearl business in Mataram. They are now under our investigation,” Mataram Immigration Office head Romi Yudiyanto told reporters.
The two held temporary stay permits that had expired, Romi said, adding that they had started the pearl business in Mataram three months ago. “They were arrested at their shop house on Monday afternoon, based on reports from local residents.”
He further said the suspects could be deported or face legal proceedings in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, WCM said he and YNK had visited Mataram to open a pearl business and planned to develop a pearl cultivation place in North Lombok. “Our acquaintance in Jakarta managed the [business] documents; we did not expect that those breached regulations,” he said.
He added he had surveyed North Lombok and Mataram for the business since a year ago and started the pearl shop a week ago, selling pearls supplied from Jakarta.
