Transvestites upset over extortion

Transvestites upset over extortion

JAKARTA (JP): Fifty-eight transvestites filed a complaint
yesterday with the Central Jakarta mayoralty over extortion and
blackmail allegedly committed by mayoralty officials.

Mirinda, the head of a transvestite communication forum, told
the head of the mayoralty's social agency that his friends are
sick and tired of being blackmailed by officials.

"The officials regularly extort money from us. Every night we
have to pay Rp 20,000 and this has disturbed our business," said
Mirinda, who claimed to represent 700 other transvestites in
Jakarta.

Another transvestite, Susi, also known as Ibrahim, said that
he had to pay Rp 150,000 to an official when he got arrested.

He also said that his friends asked the mayoralty to provide a
special site for them.

Meanwhile, Mayor Abdul Kahfi said that he will investigate the
allegations but he refused to provide a special site for them in
Central Jakarta.

"I will fire the officials, but it is impossible to provide a
special spot for transvestites," Kahfi said. (yns)