City to police red-light parks

City to police red-light parks

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman and Regional
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Muchdi have promised to clean up
the city's parks which have become sexual-rendezvous venues.

Antara reported Thursday that Basofi, after receiving
complaints from the public, immediately instructed Surabaya Mayor
Sunarto Sumoprawiro to take action to return the parks to their
original function.

The news agency reported that dozens of teenagers hang out in
the parks, especially the one in front of the governor's office,
and prostitute themselves. Bottled-tea and food traders at one of
the parks told of how the teenage girls demanded sums ranging
from Rp 100,000 (US$41) to Rp 250,000 for a session.

"Sometimes they hold their orgies here, under the statue of
(East Java's first governor) Surya, to the discomfort of diners
in a nearby restaurant," the news agency quoted one person as
saying.

Mayor Sunarto promised to clean up the parks and beautify them
with plants and lights. A budget of Rp 12.5 billion had been set
aside for the project, he said. (swe)