Americans are not the only people who conduct wars on social ills. Muslims in Indonesia are right up there in this respect as seen in the recent campaign against gambling dens in Jakarta, and it appears, the island of Batam, off Singapore, as well.

Tourist numbers to the resort island, well known as a place for Malaysian and Singaporean men to come and indulge in various dubious pleasures, dropped off in 2005 to the tune of 500,000 fewer visitors as compared to 2004.

While some attribute blame for this on the incidences of terrorism in the country the chief of the Batam tourism office Arifin Nasir said the crackdown on gambling was the main culprit. Horse’s mouth:

The main reason was the closure of the gambling dens.

An official of the Batam Hotel and Restaurant Association, one Anas, said he had long ago warned the local government to stop relying on gambling and prostitution as the main attractions of the island. He said efforts should be made to promote the culture of the island as a drawcard. The erstwhile visitors, the Malaysian and Singaporean men, are unlikely to be drawn back by this we imagine but a better class of tourist may be. If only the island were to float away from Indonesia it would possibly have more luck in the tourism beauty stakes.

Tags: Batam, Dubious Pleasures, Jakarta, Social Ills, Tourism Office, Tourist Numbers