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)