Two night spots reopen despite Sutiyoso's closure
Two night spots reopen despite Sutiyoso's closure
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City Governor Sutiyoso could not conceal his annoyance on
Monday after being questioned by reporters about two night spots
in West Jakarta, which he had raided earlier, that had reportedly
resumed operations, indicating his recent drug raids were
ineffective.
"That's stubborn. I will take harsh action against them,"
Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall without elaborating.
He claimed that he had summoned Jakarta Public Order Office
head Firman Hutajulu, for clarification on the night spots'
operation.
"Do not spoil the administration's reputation," Sutiyoso told
Firman.
Asked whether he would continue to conduct raids on night
spots that were allegedly used for drug transactions, Sutiyoso
replied: "It was a shock therapy."
He said that he had asked the city's five mayors to conduct
drug raids at night spots in their respective municipalities.
Sutiyoso led a drug raid at New Barcelona Karaoke lounge in
the Lokasari area early last Monday, arresting three suspects and
seizing 16 Ecstasy pills.
The suspects, a female waitress, a security officer and a
manager of the karaoke lounge, were taken to Jakarta Police
Headquarters after the lounge was closed.
Early last Thursday, Sutiyoso led a similar raid at a Karaoke
lounge in Hotel Travel on Jl. Mangga Besar, arresting two
suspects and seizing 13 ecstasy pills. The lounge was also then
temporarily closed.
The karaoke lounges reportedly resumed operation on Saturday
and Sunday night respectively. The closure notices, which were
earlier put on the lounges' doors, were removed.
Firman Hutajulu said he would check on reports that the night
spots resumed operation, saying that he has not received such
information from his subordinates.
"If it's true, we will report it to the police. That's a
crime," Firman told reporters after meeting the governor.
He could not say whether the night spots would be closed
permanently. But his office has the authority to give a permit
stating that the night spots are free of drug trading,
prostitution and other negative elements causing social problems.
A night spot is required to obtain such a permit from the
Jakarta Public Order Office before securing a business permit
from the Jakarta Tourism Agency.
City councillor Ahmad Heryawan earlier questioned Sutiyoso's
move in only raiding small night spots, saying that the
governor's action was aimed at improving his tarnished
reputation.
Heryawan of the Justice Party asserted that Sutiyoso's move
was intended to win the public's heart to facilitate his
reelection in the October gubernatorial election.