Tangerang regency tears down brothels built on state land

TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang regency finally bulldozed 79 houses yesterday which had been used for prostitution in the Gili Dadap area, Kosambi district.

There were no protests from pimps or prostitutes when dozens of public order officers from the regency started tearing down the houses, which had been vacated three days earlier by several sex workers.

The head of the public order office, Syabarsyah Bastam, said two excavators and dozens of trucks were used to clean up the brothels, which were located on Tangerang's northern beach.

"The destruction of the brothels was given priority because they were built on land belonging to the state," Syabarsyah said.

Residential homes in the area, however, were not demolished even though they were located on state land, he said.

Yesterday's operation had the support of residents, who said the prostitutes had disrupted their lives.

"The prostitution houses were too close to residential houses," Ibrahim, a local resident, said.

He said at least 600 prostitutes used to wait for prospective customers at the brothels every day and night with loud music blaring.

Residents opposed the location of the brothels because they were afraid that their children and other youngsters would be influenced by the illegal activities.

The residents had complained to the regency, threatening to follow the lead of people from the Legok district, in Tangerang -- who burned down 33 brothels -- and destroy the houses, he said.

Dozens of housewives and youngsters from a youth organization had staged a demonstration to protest against the brothels, he said.

Ibrahim said the sex workers were able to continue working despite the protests because their pimps had paid money to security officers.

"The public order officers often find it difficult to clean up the brothels because sex workers have inside information and immediately pay off people," he said.

Syabarsyah said the eviction had been planned for days and the owner of the brothels were sent three warning letters. (41/jun)