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)