Vice crackdown catches 62

JAKARTA (JP): The city public order officer rounded up 62 prostitutes and transvestites operating in several locations on the weekend.

Thirty-five women and 27 transvestites were caught in the National Monument (Monas) square park, Central Jakarta, and Pulomas and Jatinegara, both in East Jakarta.

The crackdown was held from 9 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday.

Toha Reno, the official of the public order office who led the operation, said another roundup would be held next week.

"Both the prostitutes and transvestites will be sent to Mulia Jaya center in Pondok Bambu, East Jakarta, to join a rehabilitation program," he said.

Affif Hamka, a member of the City Council's commission on welfare affairs, said the administration was striving to reduce prostitution in the city through a humane approach.

"The prostitutes are human beings, too. So we have to help them return to their normal lives. I know it's almost impossible to eliminate the practice, but at least we are trying to give them a better chance to make a living." (07)