Karaoke owner to sue township

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)