Prostitution complex difficult to relocate
Prostitution complex difficult to relocate
JAKARTA (JP): It is not going to be easy for the
administration to relocate the North Jakarta's Kramat Tunggak
prostitution complex, an official says.
The assistant of the city secretary for social welfare,
Soenarjudardji, said yesterday there are many aspects which must
be taken into consideration before making a final decision on the
relocation.
"Approval from the residents of the area must be obtained soon
after we find a proper place for the new complex," he said.
Plans for the relocation of the 24-year-old red light district
have been announced several times in the past few years following
people's complaints.
The city administration initially planned to relocate the red
light district to the Seribu Islands. The plan was announced some
years ago, but no decision had been made until yesterday when
Sunarjudardji said that studies showed that relocating the
complex to the Seribu Islands would be very expensive.
The North Jakarta mayor, Suprawito, said yesterday that the
new location for the complex must be on the city's outskirts.
When established in 1972, Kramat Tunggak was located in the
outskirts of Jakarta. The area was previously swamps. But now
Kramat Tunggak is part of the town, he said.
The Kramat Tunggak complex, with its 1,800 prostitutes, now
stands on an 11.5-hectare plot of land. The complex consists of a
large number of houses which have a total of 2,500 rooms.
On Wednesday the Women's Organizations Cooperating Body said
it intended to officially ask the city administration to relocate
the Kramat Tunggak complex.
The organization's chairperson, Mrs. Titing Saptadji said an
official request to the same effect would also be sent to the
House of Representatives.
The organization argued that removing the red-light district
will stop the spread of prostitution in Jakarta.
Sunarjudardji said yesterday the latest plan is to relocate
the complex to Rawa Malang, also in North Jakarta.
"The relocation may take place after the general election next
year as the study being conducted by the University of Indonesis
has yet to be completed," he said.
The relocation plan has nothing to do with the general
election, he said, adding that Rawa Malang is still a tentative
place.
Mayor Suprawito said if Rawa Malang residents refuse the
relocation plan, Bekasi, east of the capital, could be the next
choice. (yns)