Red-light district to be relocated soon<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The red-light district in Kramat Tunggak, North
\nJakarta, will be relocated early next year, possibly to
\nRawamalang, Cilincing, in the city's east, an official said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, the municipality had planned to move the
\nprostitution hub after the May general election but it was
\ndelayed for some reasons,\" Soenarjudardji, an assistant to the
\nwelfare affairs secretary, said.<\/p>\n
He refused to elaborate on the reasons for the hold-up but
\nabout 2,000 prostitutes and 250 pimps operating in 270 houses in
\nthe area will be forced to leave, he said.<\/p>\n
The municipality plans to develop the 11-hectare plot of land
\ninto an industrial area.<\/p>\n
\"There is no way they can stay there because their existence
\nhas disturbed people who live in the area.\"<\/p>\n
He said relocation was imminent, adding that Rawamalang had
\nbeen chosen as the most suitable site because it was located far
\naway from residential complexes and was unlikely to disturb
\nlocals.<\/p>\n
\"At the new location, prostitutes will not be allowed to
\nimmediately start operating again,\" he said. \"They will be asked
\nto enter a rehabilitation program first, like the one we held for
\nprostitutes from the Boker red-light area in East Jakarta.\"<\/p>\n
Soenarjudardji said that the municipality will try its best to
\nmake the program pertinent.<\/p>\n
\"At least we have to try to minimize prostitution activities,\"
\nhe said. \"The only way is to put them through a rehabilitation
\nprogram.\"<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said Wednesday that plans to relocate Kramat
\nTunggak were still being studied.<\/p>\n
\"I'm discussing it with my officials to make a decision based
\non what is best for the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeparmo, the head of Commission E for welfare affairs told
\nThe Jakarta Post that there is no need to fast-track the
\nrelocation of Kramat Tunggak.<\/p>\n
\"We are moving human beings, therefore, the municipality
\nshould think carefully about the whole plan. If there is a
\nrehabilitation program, the city must be sure that the program
\nreally works.<\/p>\n
\"Don't just move them without preparations,\" he said. \"It's
\nthe same as moving problems around but not solving them.\"<\/p>\n
There are no places in the world that are free from
\nprostitution and it is no different here, he added.<\/p>\n
In the past, Jakarta had certain prostitution spots, such as
\nGalur and Tanah Tinggi in Central Jakarta, and Kali Jodo and
\nPasar Rebo in East Jakarta, Soeparmo said.<\/p>\n
\"That is why if the municipality tries to relocate them, there
\nshould be a good rehabilitation program to support it. Otherwise,
\nthey will move to another place and start operating again.\" (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/red-light-district-to-be-relocated-soon-1447893297",
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