Vice crackdown catches 62

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)