Tangerang entertainment center vandalized

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of residents damaged Shing-Shing Soo entertainment center in Jatake village, Jatiuwung district, on Monday night in protest over its reopening after being closed down by the authorities.

They strongly protested the existence of the entertainment spot, which was equipped with a restaurant and karaoke lounge, as it was believed to have been frequently used as an undercover prostitution center.

The crowd reportedly started attacking the entertainment spot at about 9:30 p.m. when many customers were flocking to the center. They emotionally burned one of the employees' motorcycles and broke bottles, tables and chairs, thereby causing customers to flee in panic.

"I was forced to save myself for fear of being hit by the angry crowd," Rusdi, one of the protesters, said.

Their action stopped only after a group of police officers and soldiers were deployed to the incident site. "After briefing them, the crowd dispersed and went home," said Capt. Sigit S, commander of the police officers.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto Iskandar deplored the incident, saying that the crowd should not damage the goods belonging to the entertainment center.

He said that police were still searching for the mastermind of the protest. "The police are also questioning owners of the entertainment center over who gave an order for the reopening of the closed center." (41/hhr)