Seven amusement centers sealed

JAKARTA: The city tourism agency has sealed seven entertainment centers and reprimanded three that violated a regulation restricting operating hours during Ramadan.

The agency's head Arie Budiman said his agency had to temporarily close down the businesses because they violated the announced policy.

The city administration issued a circular to all entertainment center managers last month. The circular stipulates karaoke and live music spots can only operate between 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. during Ramadan.

"The centers we sealed didn't close their businesses until after the designated hours. Most violations took place during the weekend," Arie said.

The sealed centers were Moonlight Bar on Jl. KH. Mas Mansyur, Club 36 Bar on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Puri Spa massage parlor on Jl. Puri Kencana, Karaoke Zen on Jl. MH Thamrin, Karaoke Tematik on Jl. Jembatan Tiga, Bamboo Palace massage parlor near the Mangga Dua shopping area and Red Square restaurant and bar in Plaza Senayan.

The reprimanded centers were Karaoke Millenium and Malio Bar on Jl. Gajah Mada and Caf* Bengkel in Jl. Sudirman's central business district.

At dawn Sunday the Central Jakarta police raided Karaoke Zen and found six strippers dancing in two karaoke lounges with several customers. Arie said his agency would revoke Zen's operating license. --JP