Tangerang to jail residents who litter

TANGERANG: In the wake of two ordinances banning liquor and prostitution, the municipality administration is planning to imprison those caught red-handed disposing of garbage in public places.

Tangerang municipal administration secretary Harry Mulya Zain said Tuesday the administration would uphold the 2000 bylaw on cleanliness and orderliness.

"Violators face a maximum punishment of three months in prison or Rp 3 million *US$316* in fines," he told reporters.

Harry admitted that since being enacted, the bylaw had only targeted street vendors.

"We have been considering the most effective way to catch those improperly disposing of trash and punishing them so they do not become repeating offenders," he said.

The administration issued two controversial ordinances, one banning the consumption and distribution of liquor and the other banning prostitution.

Both ordinances are said to be effective in curbing liquor distribution and consumption and prostitution in the municipality. - JP