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Jakarta Police and TNI to secure Kalijodo closure
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A dark alley surrounds a cafe in Kalijodo in North Jakarta on Thursday. The city administration will officially close the infamous red-light district on Monday. (thejakartapost.com/Wienda Parwitasari) (the jakarta post/Wienda Parwitasari)
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housands of officers from the Jakarta Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) will secure the official shutdown of Kalijodo, Jakarta’s red-light district in North Jakarta.
"We will prevent any security disturbances, including possible friction and traffic congestion," Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Muhammad Iqbal said on Sunday.
Jakarta Police will also alter traffic routes surrounding Kalijodo on Monday.
The city administration issued its third and final warning to the local residents of Kalijodo on Sunday, telling them to empty their homes. Officers will start tearing down buildings on Monday.
The first warning was issued last week, pushing the residents to move away from Kalijodo.
Jakarta Police chief Ins. Gen. Tito Karnavian was scheduled to monitor the officers on Monday, Iqbal added.
Separately, North Jakarta Mayor Rustam Efendi expressed his willingness to close down Kalijodo.
"We have prepared 10 pieces of heavy equipment needed for the clean out," Rustam told thejakartapost.com on Sunday.
The eviction will be carried out within three days and the cleaning and removal of the ruins will be completed within a week.
Rustam said there were still four families residing in Kalijodo and added that subdistrict and village chiefs were working to persuade them to leave the area.
"We hope that no families remain in Kalijodo tomorrow," he said.
The Bethel Church of Indonesia in Kalijodo held its last service on Sunday prior to the Kalijodo shutdown on Monday.
Church leader Timotheus Sutomo delivered a sermon to around 60 members.
"We don't want to end up here. We believe that God gives us a new page," he said as reported by Antara news agency.
The church operated for 48 years and served Protestants in the Kalijodo area. (rin)
