Youths call for nightspot closure

JAKARTA (JP): Around 150 students grouped in the Pemuda Pancasila youth organization have urged city councilors to immediately close all entertainment spots here that are allegedly used for drug transactions and prostitution.

The youths, who said they were members of the Pemuda Pancasila's Students and College Students Union, submitted their demands during a noisy but peaceful rally at the City Council office on Thursday.

Some of the placards and banners carried by the protesters read: "Drugs, Narcotics, Ecstasy, Low-grade heroin are forbidden and destroy the youths' morals" and "Destroy discotheques and nightspots operating in Jakarta".

Another poster named some of the entertainment spots with which they have a gripe.

Ten representatives of the group were received by nine councilors.

The group's coordinator, Anhar Nasution, told the councilors that the major cause of the country's political difficulties was moral destruction.

"One of the factors that has destroyed morals (of many people) is the present misuse of entertainment spots," he said.

In response, councilor Saamin said the council would hold a dialog on the case soon together with the city administration and the protesters.

Hotels, discotheques, pubs, massage parlors and game arcades here are sometimes associated with prostitution, drugs and gambling.

The protesters said that operators were able to run their businesses smoothly as a result of routinely bribing a great number of officials and the executives of several institutions, including a certain youth organization. (ind)