Ahok Plans to Legalize Prostitution in Jakarta, says Official

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta administration is reviewing a plan to legalize brothels.  “There is an idea from Mr. Governor himself that one apartment tower could be legalized for this matter if possible,” Jakarta Regional Secretary Saefullah said in City Hall Jakarta on Monday, April 27.

According to Saefullah, the location has not been determined.  The plan will require society’s reponse in general.  The government is currently recording and disciplining apartment and flat residents.

Besides planning to legalized a special place, the government will also be giving a special certificate for prostitutes.  “A certificate similar to the ones in Philippines.  So if that’s her profession, she will have own a certificate,” said Saefullah.

Saefullah said that the government of Jakarta sees prostitution as part of Jakarta’s community life.  “So that garbages will not be scattered, it is important to provide a special place for prostitution activities and transactions,” he said.

Saefullah admitted that the plan will most definitely be getting pros and cons.  Brothel is not something new in Jakarta.  Back in the 70s and 90s, Jakarta owned a brothel in Kramat Tunggak, Koja subdistrict, north Jakarta, under the leadership of Governor Ali Sadikin.  The brothel became the largest prostitution compound in southeast Asia.  At the time, the prostitutes were more than 2,000 people under the control of at least 258 pimps.

Kramat Tunggak brothel became a source of living for more than 700 maids, 800 street vendors, and 155 motorcycle taxis.  Not to mention food stall owners that are spread through the area.  The brothel continue to develop to become 12 hectares.  However, in 1999, the place was shut down by Governor Sutiyoso to build the Jakarta Islamic Center.

AISHA SHAIDRA