Crackdown on trippers hailed

Crackdown on trippers hailed

JAKARTA (JP): Ancol Dreamland Park's owner, PT Pembangunan
Jaya, said yesterday the company did not like the park being used
as a haven by drug dealers and junkies.

The company's president, Hanafi Lauw, told journalists that
despite the probability of losing some visitors, his company
would continue to support police operations in the area.

"We need to cooperate with the police as we do not have the
authority to inspect visitor's belongings," he said.

The police have conducted four operations in the area this
month; about 85 Ecstasy pills were seized from 23 young people at
the last operation on Jan. 19.

Company executive Tanto Kurniawan said Ancol's management was
not worried by the prospect of lost income.

"The loss is very insignificant," he said, and added he would
rather "trippers" stay away from Ancol than accept their visits
for profit's sake.

Meanwhile, head of the Art and Culture Department of the
Golkar ruling group central board, Ais Anantama Said, urged the
City Administration to revoke all permits for Ancol Dream Land.

"The park has been warned many times. However, it is still
used for prostitution and drug trafficking," Ais, son of the late
Ali Said, said. Ali Said was former Chief Justice and former head
of the National Commission on Human Rights.

According to Ais, the Ancol management had been profit-
oriented, and ignored the negative impact caused by the
recreational site. (04/sur)