Sat, 18 Mar 2000

Residents want nightspots shut

JAKARTA (JP): About 50 residents of Taman Sari subdistrict in West Jakarta appealed to the administration on Wednesday to close down all nightspots in the area.

"Taman Sari has become a center for vice," Syarifuddin, one of the residents, said during a meeting with about 10 members of the City Council.

"The situation is terrible. Drugs everywhere, and also gambling and prostitution.

"You have got to do something."

Taman Sari is adjacent to Mangga Besar, which is regarded as the capital's center for nightlife, with bars, massage parlors and clubs.

Councillor Posman Siahaan from the Justice and Unity Party (PKP) promised to relay the residents' demand to the city administration.

"The administration has taken action but unfortunately its efforts have not done any good," he said. (09)