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)