SMIT takes action against drugs

TANGERANG: The Solidarity for the Tangerang Islamic Community (SMIT) urged the government to revoke the operational permit of Hotel Istana Nelayan on Jl. Gatot Subroto, Tangerang, because the hotel management had turned a blind eye to the rampant drug dealing taking place in the hotel daily.

"Since we had frequently received information that drugs could be easily bought at the hotel's karaoke lounge, we visited the hotel on Aug. 29, accompanied by several plainclothes police officers," SMIT chairman Eddy Sulaeman told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Sulaeman said he met the Karaoke Nelayan's public relations officer, Ina. Pretending he wanted to buy six ecstasy pills, Eddy asked Ina's help to get them the pills and a few seconds later Ina returned with the drugs.

After realizing that it was so easy, Eddy then asked Ina's help again to buy 60 more pills and a minute later Ina appeared with the drugs before the police finally caught her red-handed with the drugs in her hands.

"From the existing evidence, it's clear that the hotel had become a place where people were free to make drug transactions," he remarked while expressing concern that drug dealing was also rampant at many other nightspots in Tangerang.

"Therefore, we urge the government revoke the permit of Hotel Istana Nelayan, as well as other entertainment centers such as karaoke lounges and discotheques and places where live bands play that are known to be used for drug dealing," he said. --JP