Islamic school opens amid controversy

BANDUNG: Mayor Aa Tarmana officially opened on Tuesday a new Islamic boarding school (pesantren) built on the notorious Saritem red-light district complex, despite ongoing controversy.

The new boarding school, named At-Taubah (repentance), with its 50 santri (students) is expected to gradually decrease the number of prostitutes in the complex, which was established during the Dutch colonial era.

The mayor proposed building the pesantren in the area. The mayoralty constructed a three-story building (for the boarding school) on a plot of land bought from locals for Rp 380 million two months ago.

Since the building of the school was made public the number of prostitutes in the complex has been decreasing.

Chief of the neighborhood Udin Suparman said there were now about one hundred prostitutes in the complex. "There were more than 250 in the past."

He acknowledged that conflicts between santri and the Saritem visitors had erupted. "I don't know how to deal with it when conflicts happen," he said. (25/sur)