Officials plan to close Kalijodo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: In light of Saturday's arson in the Kalijodo
\nprostitution complex in North Jakarta, city administration
\nofficials have announced plans to shut down the red-light
\ndistrict soon.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday that Kalijodo was notorious
\nas a den of illegal prostitution.<\/p>\n
\"It has caused many problems. We have asked the police and
\npublic order officials to restore security to the area. But we
\nhave been opposed by the National Commission for Human Rights, as
\nthe action would affect people's rights to earn money,\" he said.<\/p>\n
City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said that
\nthe police and administration only seek to improve the quality of
\nlife at the complex.<\/p>\n
\"We will only help to rehabilitate the complex and change its
\nimage -- as we did to Kramat Tunggak,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anton was referring to brothels in the Kramat Tunggak district
\nin North Jakarta, which were closed down by the administration in
\nDecember 1999, and turned into an Islamic center.<\/p>\n
He added that residents could return home as the police have
\nensured the security.<\/p>\n
Police have arrested 44 people for illegal possession of
\nweapons and firearms during the Saturday incident, and tightened
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
Anton said that two units of police officers have been
\ndispatched to prevent more fighting. \"Their task is to clear all
\nweapons from the area.\"<\/p>\n
Forty-three suspects were charged with the Emergency Law No.
\n12 1951, for illegal possession of firearms and other weapons,
\nwhile one man was charged with the Criminal Code No. 351, for
\nattacking a police officer.<\/p>\n
The fighting claimed the life of one man, Daeng Subuh, 65, and
\nleft one police officer, Second Brig. Ronald, injured. In all,
\npolice seized 200 knives, daggers, arrows, molotov cocktails, and
\ntwo guns from the men.<\/p>\n
A total of 26 houses were burned down after two groups of men
\nbecame involved in a brawl. -- JP<\/p>",
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