Entertainment centers closed, reprimanded

Entertainment centers closed, reprimanded

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has sealed two
entertainment centers and reprimanded three others for violating
performance regulations during the current fasting month of
Ramadhan.

"The two entertainment centers have been sealed because they
operated without the necessary permits from the municipality.
They also violated the regulation on closing time. The other
three were reprimanded for exceeding the closing hour," Kusaeni
Budiantoro, head of the City Law and Order Office, said
yesterday.

During the month of Ramadhan the municipality allows the
centers to operate only until midnight, he said, adding that the
five centers violating the existing rule are discotheques,
billiard centers and karaoke houses which are located in West and
Central Jakarta.

Kusaeni said that besides supervising the entertainment
centers, his office also launched an operation against beggars,
squatters, three-in-one kids and sidewalk vendors operating at
traffic lights and cemeteries.

"As of last Saturday, a joint team consisting of
representatives of the Law and Order Office and the Social
Service Office has arrested 2,435 people," he said.

Out of the number, 1,300 were beggars, who "stormed" the
capital ahead of Idul Fitri, he said, adding that they entered
Jakarta in groups from a number of small cities in West Java and
other towns in Central Java.

Thirty of them have been sent back to their hometowns, he
said, but did not disclose what happened to the others.

Kusaeni expressed concern over the rising number of three-in-
one kids and sidewalk vendors operating during the fasting month.

Under the three-in-one regulation, each car passing through
the city's major roads is required to carry at least three
passengers. These youngsters offer, for a fee, to ride in cars
which otherwise fall short of the requirement.

The way the youngsters offer their services hinders traffic
flow, especially around toll gates, he said. (hhr)