Gambling activities go on in Kalijodo despite bans<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Many illegal gambling parlors located in the former Kalijodo
\nbrothel and gambling complex have reopened, despite the recent
\npledge issued by the authorities to prohibit gambling.<\/p>\n
Near the entrance gate located on Jl. Tubagus Angke, West
\nJakarta, a parking lot for motorcycles had been taken over by
\ngambling businesses. Several new spots, tents and semi-permanent
\nbuildings were also seen standing in the area.<\/p>\n
Jajang, a beverage seller in the gambling complex, revealed
\nlast Saturday that the gambling businesses had been operating
\nsince March.<\/p>\n
\"The place is crowded all the time, during the day and at
\nnight. The opening of the gambling spots here persuaded me and
\nthe other vendors to set up shop again. We are actually grateful
\nfor the reopening of the gambling den as it will help other
\nbusinesses to flourish, such as food and beverage vendors,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The Kalijodo brothel and gambling complex stood on two
\ndifferent mayoralties. The northern part of the complex belongs
\nto Penjaringan district, North Jakarta. While the south belongs
\nto the West Jakarta mayoralty.<\/p>\n
When The Jakarta Post visited the place, at least 20 gambling
\nspots were in operation. Several visitors were seen flocking at
\none parlor to play koprok, a dice game. While others were seen
\nplaying card games, sitting in tents.<\/p>\n
Maman, not his real name, a leader of a group of thugs, told
\nthe Post that the district chief of Tambora and the subprecinct
\nhad given him the green light to open the gambling den a month
\nago.<\/p>\n
\"I've had to reopen the gambling den in order to feed my men.
\nI was afraid they would hit the road again, robbing or extorting
\npeople at traffic intersections if I failed to feed them. My only
\nway to provide them with an income was to get back into the
\nbusiness again,\" admitted Maman, who was in charge of at least
\n500 hoodlums from Serang, Banten.<\/p>\n
Kalijodo was also well known as a cash cow for corrupt police,
\nmilitary and city administration personnel. They received money
\nfor protecting the illegal business.<\/p>\n
According to local estimates, the area's gambling turnover
\ncould amount to Rp 2 billion (US$211,000) every night.<\/p>\n
The city administration postponed the demolition of the
\nremaining 400 buildings in Kalijodo on Feb. 27 after demolishing
\n180 buildings. The decision to close Kalijodo was made following
\nbrawls between two hoodlum groups in the area on Feb. 17 and 22.<\/p>\n
No officials at West Jakarta Police or the mayoralty were
\navailable for comment.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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