City to act against Tanah Abang hoodlums
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)