After Alexis, Jakarta to Evaluate Permits of Nightlife Spots  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After refusing to extend the business permit of Hotel Alexis and its therapy clinic, the Jakarta provincial Government will evaluate the business permits of the many nightlife entertainment spots in Jakarta.

The Jakarta Governor responded by stating that discontinuing nightlife entertainment business permits is possible in the future. “That is possible. This one (Alexis) is because it had a clear reason,” said Anies Baswedan at City Hall.

Anies asserted that the Jakarta provincial government will close adult nightlife businesses that are proven to have conducted a violation. “So, we have fulfilled our clear promise to it close-down,” he said. Anies Baswedan once promised to close Alexis during the 2017 Gubernatorial Election Campaign. It is alleged that Alexis has been frequently used as a hidden prostitution spot.

Read: Anies Promises to Shut Businesses Similar to Alexis

Anies Baswedan did not provide the public with evidentiary proof of the type of violation conducted by Alexis. He argues that this case is not similar to other cases that can be proven through documentation. He only revealed that he had collected evidence that includes official police reports. He also communicated with Alexis managements before their business permit was rejected, although, Anies was reluctant to reveal what the discussion talked about.

The Governor’s decision is stated in a reply letter sent by the Jakarta Investment Agency and One Stop Integrated Service (PTSP) on October 27. Without an official listing through the PTSP, Alexis is cannot conduct any of its businesses in Jakarta.

Head of PTSP Edy Junaedi said that the agency is currently coordinating with the Department of Tourism and Culture to ensure that Alexis will not run its business anymore, “We will discuss on how to supervise [Alexis],” he said.

Edy claimed that Alexis violated Governor Regulation No 133/2012 on Business Registration of Tourism and Regional Regulations No 6/2015 on tourism. However, Edy was not keen to explain in detail regarding which Article Alexis had violated.

Hotel Alexis Corporate Legal Lina Novita had strongly denied the allegations issued by the Jakarta Provincial Government regarding hidden prostitution. Lina argues that there are no records of Alexis violating the law related to drug abuses and prostitution practices.

AVIT HIDAYAT | DEVY ERNIS | LARISSA HUDA