Relocation of 'Kramat Tunggak' urgent

JAKARTA (JP): The City Council urged the city administration yesterday to speed up the relocation of the 11-hectare Kramat Tunggak red-light district in North Jakarta, since its existence can no longer be accepted by people living nearby.

Atje Muljadi, the chairman of the council's Commission E, overseeing public welfare, suggested that the prostitutes be moved to Rawa Malang, an isolated area in North Jakarta, far away from residential districts and their clients.

He said the City Social Services Office should cooperate with all related offices to ensure the new site will not be near future housing complexes.

Kramat Tunggak, the largest red-light district in the city, was initially far away from residential areas when it opened in 1972 as a women's rehabilitation center. However the rapid growth of the city has caused housing complexes to be built around the area.

Atje insisted that the new site be equipped with adequate educational facilities to return the red-light district to its original function as a women's rehabilitation center.

He singled out Rawa Malang in the Cilincing subdistrict of North Jakarta as the most appropriate new location.

Based on the results of a recent study conducted by the City Social Affairs Office in cooperation with the University of Indonesia, he said the 20-hectare Rawa Malang area meets all the requirements.

Atje asked the city administration to cooperate with private firms to finance the relocation project.

"The project should not be financed by the city's budget," he said.

Saud Rahman, the deputy chairman of the United Development Party faction in the council, said one of the chief objectives of the relocation program should be to improve the economic and social condition of the sex workers.

"The program should not simply be aimed at moving the prostitutes from one place to another," he said.(32)