Hookers flock Semper neighborhood

JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Semper Timur subdistrict in North Jakarta demanded on Monday that City Council Commission E for social welfare take action against the rampant prostitution in the neighboring subdistrict of Kampung Rawa Malang.

Rochidi, the spokesman for the delegation of 12 representatives of the subdistrict, told commission members that prostitution at Kampung Rawa Malang subdistrict, which is only a kilometer away from their homes, had reached an alarming level as it increased the number of prostitutes and also drug and alcohol use.

"We've come here to deliver the residents' aspiration through a dialog as many can no longer tolerate the prostitution and have pledged to combat these activities," he said.

A delegation member, Sanusi, said despite unceasing protests by local residents, officers from Cilincing district and Semper Timur subdistrict were unable to restore order to Kampung Rawa Malang.

He said there were at least 60 pimps operating in the area, with some 500 prostitutes occupying at least 100 houses.

The Kramat Tunggak red-light district, which is only 1.2 kilometers away from Kampung Rawa Malang, was closed by Governor Sutiyoso last December.

In response to their demand, the commission chairman Edy Suchro Abdul Djalal vowed to summon local officials for questioning and to visit the area soon. (06)