Five foreigners arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Three Chinese women, and a Spanish and South Korean man have been arrested for being "illegal" entertainers at nightspots during New Year's Eve festivities.

Mursanudin A. Ghani, the head of the information office at the Immigration Directorate General, said Wednesday the three Chinese women were found working as prostitutes in a West Jakarta karaoke bar. They entered Indonesia with visiting permits, he said.

The South Korean, Chang Ho-kim, was caught working as a karaoke guide. His passport stated he was a mechanical engineer, Mursanudin said.

He did not say which karaoke bar hired Chang.

The Spaniard, Pablo Cendenilla, who entered Indonesia on a short visit permit (BVKS), was arrested for entertaining Grand Melia Hotel guests. The guitar player joined a musical group at the hotel, Mursanudin said.

"They are now at immigration quarantine in West Jakarta for violating immigration rules," he said.

Mursanudin said the five were arrested by the team in charge of the city's New Year's Eve festivities. The team has more than 100 personnel. (sur)