The Bekasi Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) closed on Tuesday seven karaoke parlors located on Jl. Thamrin in Lippo Cikarang, Bekasi.

They were sealed for violating Article 47 of bylaw No. 3/2016 on Tourism, which disallows karaoke parlors, nightclubs, live music establishments, bars and massage parlors from operating in Bekasi.

“We have given them warnings, which they did not heed. So, we forcefully closed the establishments,” Bekasi Satpoll PP head Hudaya said as quoted by tempo.co.

The seven karaoke parlors are Mulia, V2, Jenesis Hotel, Soyanggang, Holiwood, Buterfly, and Monariza. They were the first batch of entertainment venues to be shut down as Satpol PP has found 19 more karaoke parlors in the area.

“We will close them gradually over the next few days,” Hudaya said. “We want every business owner to obey the bylaw.”

Bekasi City Council Head Sunandar supported the sweep, saying the bylaw was based on a thorough study and the public’s wishes. 

“We also call on residents to report any entertainment venues that are still operating at night,” he said. (gsa/ahw)