Prostitution still survives in 'closed' Kramat Tunggak

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

It has been more than two years since the city administration closed the notorious Kramat Tunggak brothel complex in North Jakarta, but the area has yet to rid itself of prostitution.

Dozens of illegal cafes and bars that also serve as brothels are scattered along Jl. Bhayangkara Tugu and Jl. Kramat Jaya near the complex, in the middle of which an Islamic center is being built. One of the cafes can be found just 50 meters from Koja police station on Jl. Bhayangkara Tugu.

Subdistrict secretary, Fredy Setiawan, said the office had tried to close the places several times but always failed.

"It's widely known that all bars and cafes are backed by the police and military. We haven't issued permits for these businesses but they still obtain them from certain officials in the city tourism agency, although the regulation is they need a recommendation and a letter of settlement from the subdistrict to obtain a permit," he said.

A former sex worker in Kramat Tunggak, Tati, revealed that hundreds of prostitutes were still practicing in the area. Many of them can easily be found at the site of the former complex.

"They are still operating in stalls established inside the former brothel complex. If you want, just come tonight and pick one of them. They don't provide rooms. It's very cheap, just Rp 20,000 (US$1.96) for short time services," said Tati, who has lived there since 1984.

The prostitutes live in boarding houses in the neighborhood, such as community unit 17. Some even operate at Waru intersection, just one kilometer from the complex.

Despite the closure of the complex, brawls still occur every night, though their numbers are no longer as high as when the complex was still around, she said.

The administration closed Kramat Tunggak in December 1999, due to complaints from residents. Built in 1972, in its heyday, Kramat Tunggak was the largest brothel complex in Asia, with 1,600 prostitutes, 200 pimps and 650 brothels conducting their business.

In June 2001, the administration decided to convert the complex into an Islamic center. The ground-breaking ceremony of the center took place in August 2001.

After the closure of the complex, many sex workers moved their activities to the Rawamalang area of North Jakarta.

The administration is currently demolishing the 40-year-old Kalijodo illegal brothel complex in Pejagalan subdistrict, North Jakarta with the same reason: that it disturbed local residents. It is unclear if the sex workers will also move their business to Rawamalang, as the administration has not provided them with compensation.