BI to investigate money changer robbed in S’pore

BATAM. The Riau Islands office of Bank Indonesia (BI) will investigate a criminal case involving Kang Tie Tie, a money changer from Batam who was stabbed and robbed in Singapore on Friday.

Among questions to be investigated include the fact that the businessman was able to take Rp 5 billion (US$409,333) out of the province without being detected by authorities.

“We will investigate the case to uncover more facts including the name of the victim’s money changer and how he could take such a huge amount of cash out of the province without being detected by the authorities. We will take the necessary measures to get to the bottom of the case,” BI Riau Islands head Gusti Raizal Eka Putra said on Sunday.

Any Indonesian citizen who wishes to take more than Rp 100 million out of the country is required to file a report with the Customs and Excise Office which will forward it to the BI.

Kang was stabbed and then robbed by a man when he was at Raffles Place in Singapore on Friday. His alleged assailant, identified as Arun, is also a Batam resident.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Singapore is expected to provide the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore with information on the criminal case on Monday.

The embassy’s counselor Sukmo Yuwono confirmed to The Jakarta Post on Sunday that both the victim and alleged perpetrator of the robbery were Indonesian citizens.

“I will visit both victim and suspect at the hospital tomorrow. They are receiving medical treatment. The embassy will give consular assistance to them,” said Sukmo.

He said the incident began when Arun attempted to seize Kang’s messenger bag containing S$158,000 ($121,721) and 20,030 Brunei dollars ($15,407) in cash and three checks worth S$607,000. In the robbery attempt, Arun is alleged to have stabbed Kang three times leaving him with wounds to his abdomen and hands.

A bystander managed to catch the attacker as he attempted to flee and took him to the police.

Suhardi “Achui” Tan, 26, was stabbed to death as he left a money changer at Raffles Place in Singapore on Aug.24, 2012. The assailant stole S$100,000 from the staff member of money changer PT Citra Niaga, Batam. The case remains unresolved. (Fadli)