Bogor residents continue protests against nightspots

Bogor residents continue protests against nightspots

BOGOR (JP): At least 300 people from three districts here
visited the Bogor council for the second time Saturday to
reemphasize their demands for the immediate closure of nightspots
in the Puncak resort area.

Residents of Cisarua, Mega Mendung and Ciawi thronged to the
council following an incident on Thursday in which hundreds of
people, including Moslem scholars, from six villages in Cisarua
district ran amok and destroyed at least 16 buildings, including
villas, discotheques and massage parlors along the mountainous
Puncak pass road.

According to one resident, the local community was strongly
urging authorities to take stern action against owners of
nightspots -- which they said sold sex and drugs -- which were
open for business despite being ordered to close down by the
government.

The crowd was received by representatives of the council,
police and military command.

On July 13, residents visited the Bogor regional council and
the West Java provincial council to lodge a complaint. The
councilors, however, apparently gave no appropriate response to
the people's complaint.

"The entertainment spots were still operating. We are worried
that they will degrade the morals of our youngsters," one
resident told reporters Saturday.

During Thursday's incident, the protesters also herded 11
alleged prostitutes to the Cisarua Police Station and staged
rallies outside seven villas reportedly rented by foreigners.

Among the discotheques stoned during the incident were Monggo
Mas, Studio 20, Imagination, Goa, Dewa Dewi and Ligina.

An executive of Monggo Mas discotheque, Teddy F Agung,
expressed fear that the angry mobs would return to destroy his
establishment.

"I'm afraid of a possible new wave of unrest. Nobody knows
what will happen," he told Antara.

The establishment suffered a Rp 20 million loss due to the
unrest.

Security officers were seen still patrolling the area on
Saturday. (ivy)