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.