TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno on Wednesday warned hotels in Jakarta that run their businesses by accommodating prostitution activities will be clamped down.

“We will act firm against hotel management that run online prostitution businesses that involve minors,” said the Tourism Minister in a press briefing at his office on June 2.

The city administration has forcefully closed a number of hotels that are known to be involved in online prostitution practices. Permanent closures were imposed on two hotels; Wisma Prima Hotel and Dreamtel Hotel which are both located in Central Jakarta.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry is coordinating with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) and the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry (KPPPA) to prevent prostitution practices from spreading to other hotels.

The Wisma Prima Hotel was permanently closed on May 31, following a police investigation that revealed a prostitution scheme involving 37 teenagers.The Dreamtel Hotel, which its business network is linked to the former, was also closed on the same day.

Both hotels accommodating prostitution activities have violated Regional Regulation No.8/2007 on public order and Governor’s Regulation No.18/2018 on tourism businesses.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | ANTARA