City to act against Tanah Abang hoodlums
JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said yesterday that his public order officers, in cooperation with the Armed Forces, are to crack down on hoodlums operating at the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta as of Monday.
Andi said the plan to rid the area of thugs has been approved by the city police and Jakarta Military Command chiefs.
"The initiative will start by targeting the surrounding area with the ultimate aim of curbing the activities of hoodlums."
For example, about 200 Armed Forces personnel are to be deployed to the area and engage in regreening activities along the river banks, with their presence to act as a deterrent, he said
"As we need time to restrict the hoodlums' activities, the regreening movement has been chosen as one of the ways to help get rid of them."
Andi said the mayoralty had actively encouraged the hoodlums to participate in the development programs by asking them to act as security guards.
"But it has failed to interest them because the task does not give them extra money," he said.
The need for a crackdown was apparent after city councilors visited the market last week. They witnessed hoodlums gambling in and around the market and safeguarding prostitution activities.
The day after their visit, a riot broke out. Dozens of angry hoodlums blockading one of the nearby streets and pelted police officers who arrested eight people for gambling.
The unrest forced sidewalk vendors operating in the area to flee when the hoodlums turned on them.
The councilors expressed concern over the Tanah Abang hoodlums, who were believed to have run the area for decades.
Djafar Badjeber, head of Commission B for economic affairs, said earlier that the existence of hoodlums can no longer be tolerated.
He defended yesterday a previous statement that hoodlums must be eliminated.
"They are civilians, that in fact have created their own territory and act as if they own Tanah Abang. The hoodlums have gone too far," he said.
"I think Jakarta must be free from these kind of activities."
"They are crazy. The hoodlums fearlessly establish gambling sites and prostitutions. When officials try to stop them, they resist arrest.
"Therefore, I urge the municipality to use Bakorstanasda (Agency for the Coordinating of Support for the Development of National Stability) to take firm action against them."
Councilor Lukman Mokoginta, a member of Commission D for development affairs, said that the municipality has no choice but to declare war against them.
"Hoodlum issues have been 'left untouched' for quite some time. They are getting stronger and stronger. The city must take firm action before it's too late," he said.
Sidewalk vendors are reportedly obliged to pay a daily levy, ranging between Rp 500 and Rp 2,000 per trader, depending on the merchandise and the space occupied. (07/05)