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)