Drinks stalls to be relocated

JAKARTA (JP): About 300 stalls selling drinks around the former red-light district of Kramat Tunggak in North Jakarta will be relocated to several markets in the mayoralty.

About 600 kiosks have been prepared for the relocation.

Mayor Soebagyo said on Thursday the mayoralty had allocated Rp 1.5 billion for the relocation of the stalls. The relocation is expected to be conducted soon.

These stalls are called "ginseng stalls" as they sell ginseng herbal drinks. But many believe the vendors also act as pimps.

According to Mayor Soebagyo, for the first six months, the vendors do not have to pay the rental for the kiosks but will thereafter pay PD Pasar Jaya market management.

The relocation of the drinks stalls is part of the city administration's plan to transform the former red-light district into an Islamic Center.

The 11-hectare Kramat Tunggak brothel complex, which once housed 1,600 prostitutes and 200 pimps, was officially closed on Dec. 8, 1999. (04)