Move 'Kramat Tunggak' to a coastal area: Mayor

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta mayor has suggested that the 11-hectare Kramat Tunggak red-light district be relocated to a coastal area in the Jakarta Bay reclamation project instead of Rawa Malang in Cilincing, North Jakarta.

"I think it is most logical that the prostitutes at the red- light district be moved to a coastal area at the reclamation project," Suprawito told reporters at City Hall yesterday.

He said that the most suitable location for the relocation of the largest red-light district in the city is the coastal area bordering the township of Bekasi in West Java.

Suprawito said he did not agree with a proposal raised by a city councilor that the complex be relocated to Rawa Malang, in Cilincing. "Rawa Malang is also located near crowded residential areas," he argued.

Atje Muljadi, the chairman of the City Council's commission E in charge of public welfare, urged the city administration recently to speed up the relocation of the Kramat Tunggak prostitution complex since its existence can no longer be accepted by people living nearby..

When the red-light district was officially opened in 1972 as a women's rehabilitation center, it was situated in an isolated area, far away from housing complexes. However the rapid growth of the city has caused housing complexes to be built around the area.

The district is home to 1,850 prostitutes and is the only red- light complex controlled by the City Administration.

Based on the results of a recent study conducted by the City Social Service Office in cooperation with University of Indonesia, Atje said the 20-hectare Rawa Malang was the most appropriate site for the prostitutes.

Suprawito refused to clarify when the relocation process would be carried out.

He said for the time being, business runs as usual at Kramat Tunggak pending the final decision to be made by the governor on the definite relocation site.

The mayoralty is planning to turn the district into a residential complex.(32)