Prostitutes still plying trade near Islamic Center

Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Within two weeks, the city administration will hold the soft opening of an Islamic center at site of the former Kramat Tunggak brothel complex in North Jakarta. But the illicit sex industry still thrives just a stone's throw from the spot.

There are 18 cafes and bars along Jl. Kramat Jaya, North Jakarta, which open during the day until late at night. And as the sun sets, many men and women dressed in eye-catching outfits gather on one side of the street. Some stand on the corner of the street smoking and chatting.

On the other side of Jl. Kramat Jaya, a minaret is being erected in the development of the Islamic Center. The two places are separated only by galvanized iron fences painted blue that surround the 11-hectare plot of the former brothel complex.

The first Friday prayers will take place in the mosque on Sept. 6, while the grand launching of the center is scheduled for early October.

The Kramat Tunggak red-light complex was officially closed three years ago, but many prostitutes still operate near it, even after the development of the Islamic Center began in August last year.

Surprisingly, Hasan, the owner of Monalisa Cafe, said that his cafe attracts more patrons these days.

"My turnover has doubled," he said, saying that every night his cafe could take in Rp 8 million.

He said that he normally sold 25 crates of beer every night, while last year he could only sell 15 crates.

Some workers acknowledged that business was lucrative here.

One of them, Yenny, 19, a waitress from Indramayu, West Java, said that she liked the job because she could earn quite a lot in tips, ranging from Rp 30,000 to Rp 100,000. But she declined to say whether she accepted dates with patrons after work.

Anik, 16, a freelance sex-worker from Surabaya, East Java, said she was happy spending her nights there because she could earn money from escorting guests. She said she charge Rp 10,000 to Rp 50,000 per guest.

The city administration allocated Rp 120 billion for the conversion of the brothel complex into the Islamic Center, according to Nana.

The Kramat Tunggak red-light complex was officially closed in December 1999 due to complaints from local residents. Thought to be the largest brothel complex in Asia, Kramat Tunggak was built in 1972 and had 1,600 prostitutes, 200 pimps and 650 brothels.

The acquisition of the land in Kramat Tunggak, however, was marred with corruption reaching more than Rp 10 billion, but the graft case remains unsolved.

After the closure, some sex workers went back to their hometowns, but others continued working in the sex business in Kalijodo and Rawa Malang, North Jakarta, and in Tambun, Bekasi. Some still continue to work in Kramat Tunggak.

Those operating in Kramat Tunggak, as well as their employers, however, realize that they will soon have to leave the place.

Hasan said he would close his cafe before the inauguration of the Islamic Center, even though there has been no pressure from the government or the residents to close down.

"I would be too embarrassed to continue providing night entertainment right in front of a mosque," he said, adding that he was afraid that a radical group might attack his place if it remained open.

Hasan, as well as the women, said they did not know what they would do after the closure. "I am good at this business, and it's not that easy to start up another business," Hasan said.

Meanwhile, Tugu Utara subdistrict chief Nana Hendriana said there were 18 bars and cafes at which 96 waiters worked along Jl. Kramat Jaya. He acknowledged on Wednesday that many prostitutes still operated in the area.

"But I will have to raid them before the city officials kick off the first Friday prayers in the new mosque on Sept. 6," he said.