Ali Sadikin says no to red-light district closure<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin expressed
\ndisagreement on Wednesday about a move to close the city's oldest
\nred-light district -- Kramat Tunggak in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"Abolishing prostitutes by closing brothel complexes is
\nimpossible. As long as men live, prostitutes are needed," Ali
\nsaid during a meeting with city councilors.<\/p>\n
He said that in addition to centralizing the activity, the
\nKramat Tunggak district was also set up in the late 1960s as a
\nrehabilitation center for prostitutes in the city.<\/p>\n
He suggested that instead of closing the center, the
\nadministration improve the brothel complex's rehabilitation
\nfunction.<\/p>\n
"It would be better to centralize prostitution than let the
\nprostitutes operate on the city's streets and in shopping
\ncenters," he said.<\/p>\n
Ali reiterated his stance to reporters who were waiting
\noutside the City Council.<\/p>\n
He asked a reporter from a Jakarta-based daily specializing in
\ncrime stories whether he had had sex with prostitutes. The
\nreporter admitted to the practice.<\/p>\n
The 72-year-old former governor said the prostitutes, who
\nmainly come from poor families, needed the money to support their
\nfamilies.<\/p>\n
"No woman wants to become a prostitute," Ali said<\/p>\n
He reiterated his stance on legalizing prostitution and
\ngambling activities in the city, saying that they could
\ncontribute to the city's revenue.<\/p>\n
Ali, a retired marine lieutenant general, legalized gambling
\nand prostitution during his term as Jakarta governor between 1966
\nand 1977.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso earlier said that he would close all the
\nbrothel complexes here, following the administration's decision
\nto close the Kramat Tunggak brothel complex on Dec. 8 this year.<\/p>\n
He said the brothel would be shut down following complaints
\nfrom local residents.<\/p>\n
Councilor Posman Siahaan from the Justice and Unity Party
\n(PKP) shared Ali's opinion on the legalization and centralization
\nof gambling activities and prostitution.<\/p>\n
"It's better to legalize them because the city could charge
\ntaxes to the gambling and prostitution complexes," said Posman,
\nwho is also a member of the council's commission A for
\nadministrative affairs.<\/p>\n
He accused city administration officers of exacting 'levies'
\nfrom gambling and prostitution operations, which operate
\nclandestinely and illegally here. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ali-sadikin-says-no-to-red-light-district-closure-1447893297",
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