'Kramat Tunggak will become industrial zone'

JAKARTA (JP): The notorious Kramat Tunggak rehabilitation center for prostitutes will be turned into an industrial area, North Jakarta Mayor Suprawito said yesterday.

According to the wishes of residents and religious leaders, he said, the city would stick to its plan to move the red-light district, which is no longer isolated like it was when it opened in early 1970s.

"On those refusing to move, the city will be forced to take firm action," Suprawito said after the installment of the new North Jakarta Police chief, Lt. Col. Rismawan.

Rismawan replaces Lt. Col. HM Ibrahim, who is now the Central Jakarta Police chief.

City authorities earlier mentioned that the Seribu Islands was a likely site for a new prostitution complex.

Antara quoted the mayor as saying that the municipality- sanctioned brothel area Kramat Tunggak would remain "status quo", saying that no new buildings could be built in the area.

He said the site would be designated for industries, offices and other commercial activities "which will be more positive than a prostitution center."

Kramat Tunggak was established as a central prostitution zone to reduce prostitution in other parts of the city.

There are no investors confirmed to be interested in the 11.5- hectare site.

"An investor who was once interested has withdrawn because of the high cost of land appropriation," the mayor said.

The price of the land is estimated to be Rp 300,000 a square meter. The site contains 250 two-story guest houses and around 2,000 prostitutes.

If plans to turn Kramat Tunggak into a commercial zone are realized, there will be many job opportunities, the mayor said, adding that this would also "support the government's stance against immoral practices".

Researchers and advocates of HIV/AIDS awareness, including legislator Nafsiah Mboi, said earlier that it was better to tighten controls in Kramat Tunggak than move the prostitutes. Researcher Charles Surjadi said that illegal brothels outside of Kramat Tunggak still existed despite efforts to eliminate them. (anr)