TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Red-light district in spotlight in wake of fatal crash
Let's dance: Sex workers accompany guests in a pub in the Kalijodo red-light district on a weeknight
Change Size
Let's dance: Sex workers accompany guests in a pub in the Kalijodo red-light district on a weeknight. (JP file) (JP file)
Let's dance: Sex workers accompany guests in a pub in the Kalijodo red-light district on a weeknight. (JP file)
The city authorities have been spurred into action by a recent accident involving a car and a motorcycle ' not because it led to the deaths of four people, but because the car's driver was revealed to have been heading home after visiting the Kalijodo red-light district.
The accident appears to have reminded the city authorities that they promised to clear the vice-ridden area early last year.
In the wake of the accident, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama has revived a plan to demolish buildings constructed illegally along the Grogol River, turning the area into green space. "Kalijodo should already have been closed and turned into a green area," Ahok said on Wednesday.
Riki Agung Prasetio, the driver of the SUV and a named suspect in the fatal crash on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, told the police that he and the car's eight passengers had visited a café in Kalijodo before the incident, consuming copious quantities of alcohol.
Two of the car's passengers died in the accident, along with the driver and passenger of a motorcycle hit by the car. Riki, who claim the visit was his first to Kalijodo, expressed regret that his outing to the area had had such tragic consequences.
Jakarta Police chief. Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian said on Wednesday that he would support the Jakarta city administration's policy to close down the area.
"If the city administration wants to deal with the Kalijodo area, we will hand it over to the administration. We will support any policy decided on by the administration," Tito said, adding that the accident was caused by the drunken driver being unable to control his vehicle and, indirectly, by the existence of the red-light district.
Kalijodo, also known a hot spot of illegal gambling, is home to hundreds of sex workers, brothel owners and petty criminals.
Some Kalijodo residents reacted with anger to Ahok's announcement. "Don't try anything here. All of the residents here are criminals. Ahok will never manage to crush this area," local resident Maman said as quoted by kompas.com.
Tito stressed that the police would cooperate with the city administration to close down illegal buildings in the area. "We are not afraid to crack down on Kalijodo. The police, city administration and Indonesian Army fear nothing," Tito claimed.
Meanwhile, City Secretary Saefullah said that the administration had begun the process of registering residents of Kalijodo in order to ascertain the status of their properties. For those whose ownership is proven by land certificates, the city administration will provide compensation following relocation to low-cost rental apartments.
Sex workers, however, will be given no compensation. 'Candidates for relocation are couples with families, not sex workers,' Ahok said. (bbn)
