Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has warned the Riau Islands provincial government against building a gambling den in the region.

"Don`t ever think of building, don`t ever have any intention and don`t ever have any plan to build such a place," the president said when handing assistance to Tanjungpinang residents on Friday evening.

The President said he learnt a report on the mass media that a gambling den would be built in Riau Islands.

"I heard unfounded news carried by the mass media in the capital that a gambling den would be built in the development of areas in Riau Islands," he said.

He asked local officials to stick to moral and noble norms in implementing regional development.

Every region had their own regional development policies. Indonesia should carry out development programs by opening economic activities that would benefit its people according to religious teachings, he said.

"Don`t ever have any plan to do something that we don`t all want to and will create a rift among the Indonesian people," he said.

The President was here to hand assistance to local people including smallholder business credits, social assistance, and national program for community empowerment assistance.

His entourage included Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik and Minister/Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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