Govt wants action on nightspots
Govt wants action on nightspots
JAKARTA (JP): Following an attack on an alleged gambling den
in Pluit, North Jakarta, Governor Sutiyoso warned the director of
PT Pembangunan Pluit Jaya to take action against nightspots
violating a governor's circular on opening hours during Ramadhan.
"I will fire the director. I'm tired of repeatedly telling him
to handle this problem," the governor said after the Friday
prayer at City Hall.
Sutiyoso also has asked the Jakarta Police to stop the attacks
on entertainment centers.
The governor earlier issued a notice banning saunas,
nightclubs, discotheques and gaming arcades from operating during
Ramadhan.
Hundreds of members of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)
attacked on Wednesday the Mickey Mouse pinball arcade in the food
court of the Megamal Pluit shopping center in Pluit, North
Jakarta.
The group claimed the arcade was being used as a gambling den.
They damaged 40 pinball machines and injured six security guards.
Two FPI members were injured by broken glass.
Meanwhile, Thamrin Djarmain, the director of PT Pembangunan
Pluit, the city's jointly owned urban development company, said
the pinball arcade had been sealed off since September for
violating its building permit, which had been issued for a
karaoke business.
"The tenant was operating the pinball business secretly," said
Thamrin, adding that his office had sent several warning letters
to the tenant.
PT Pembangunan Pluit Jaya manages some 2,600 hectares in a
concession under its authority.
The alleged gambling activities, which occurred on the city
administration's property, were technically being managed by the
city administration through the company.
The problem was raised last June, when several councillors
repeatedly questioned Sutiyoso over the issue of gambling in
Pluit.
In June, the company demolished the Pluit Plaza building and
sealed off Lucky Star and Puja Mami. The licenses of the three
locations only allowed them to operate as billiard halls.
However, Thamrin said they misused their permits to host gambling
activities. (07)