Karaoke owner to sue township

TANGERANG (JP): The owner of a nightspot incorporating a karaoke bar and restaurant which was sealed on Wednesday said he will sue the township.

"There were no prior warnings," Hermanto, the owner of the Grand Sentul Singing Hall in Balaraja said yesterday.

Hermanto said yesterday he felt powerless if officials who sealed the place called Grand Sentul were from the regency.

"But I will sue the officials if they came from the township," he said.

"I have a permit for this restaurant, it can't just be sealed off," he added.

The Grand Sentul has been one of the targets of recent protests by Moslem communities, who say the place is one of the sites where illicit prostitution takes place.

They also expressed anger at indecently clad singers.

"See for yourself," Hermanto said. "We do not provide prostitutes."

However an employee who worked there for three years said otherwise.

The township spokesperson, Ena Karlina, said prior warnings are not necessary.

The Regent has the authority to seal off places such as entertainment sites without prior warnings, she said, "in urgent cases."

She acknowledged the recent protest by 30 youths was categorized as "urgent."

She declined to say if the Grand Sentul violated permits by providing prostitution.

She said the building of karaoke rooms should be closed with glass windows to avoid constant suspicion of activities inside the rooms.

Hermanto also added that the 30 youths could not be considered representatives of the Balaraja district, as he said it has around 5,000 people. (18/anr)