Officials plan to close Kalijodo

Officials plan to close Kalijodo

JAKARTA: In light of Saturday's arson in the Kalijodo
prostitution complex in North Jakarta, city administration
officials have announced plans to shut down the red-light
district soon.

Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday that Kalijodo was notorious
as a den of illegal prostitution.

"It has caused many problems. We have asked the police and
public order officials to restore security to the area. But we
have been opposed by the National Commission for Human Rights, as
the action would affect people's rights to earn money," he said.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said that
the police and administration only seek to improve the quality of
life at the complex.

"We will only help to rehabilitate the complex and change its
image -- as we did to Kramat Tunggak," he said.

Anton was referring to brothels in the Kramat Tunggak district
in North Jakarta, which were closed down by the administration in
December 1999, and turned into an Islamic center.

He added that residents could return home as the police have
ensured the security.

Police have arrested 44 people for illegal possession of
weapons and firearms during the Saturday incident, and tightened
security.

Anton said that two units of police officers have been
dispatched to prevent more fighting. "Their task is to clear all
weapons from the area."

Forty-three suspects were charged with the Emergency Law No.
12 1951, for illegal possession of firearms and other weapons,
while one man was charged with the Criminal Code No. 351, for
attacking a police officer.

The fighting claimed the life of one man, Daeng Subuh, 65, and
left one police officer, Second Brig. Ronald, injured. In all,
police seized 200 knives, daggers, arrows, molotov cocktails, and
two guns from the men.

A total of 26 houses were burned down after two groups of men
became involved in a brawl. -- JP