Surabaya Declares Intention to be Prostitution-Free City

Surabaya Nov 10 (Antara) - Indonesia's second biggest city, Surabaya, marked the commemoration of National Heroes' Day on November 10 here on Sunday with a pledge to be a prostitution-free city. The city mayor, Tri Rismaharini, in her speech at the commemoration ceremony at Taman Bungkul said parents living in red-light districts in the city must care about their children's future. "Their children's growth and future must be their top priority," she said. Hundreds of community elements attended the event and expressed their support to the Surabaya prostitution-free campaign. "Our children must be our priority. Parents must not only think of 'their stomach' at the expense of their children," the mayor said. She said that the problem of red-light districts such as Dolly is a classic problem that has always haunted Surabaya mayors so far besides other social problems like trafficking. He said the social problems are related with red-light districts. "When I visited a school located near a red-light district I saw the pupils all looked absent minded. The life of these children is close with free-sex practices. They must be saved," she said. She said Surabaya is serious with its rehabilitation plan for former red light districts. So far three districts have been shut down namely Tambaksari, KLakah Rejo and Dupak Bangunsari. The city administration meanwhile would close Sememi in December and conduct rehabilitation programs at Dolly and Jarak districts next year. She said specially for Dolly preparations must be made well because of the size of the district which has so far been known as the biggest in Southeast Asia. "What is the use of making the city cleaner and more beautiful if social problems like Dolly remain. Therefore I will not give in," she said. The mayor believed people living around Dolly would not worry about her plan. She referred to the people in Dupak Bangunsari who had enjoyed the impact of her rehabilitation programs. "They must not be worried. Just look at people in Dupak. Their small and medium businesses' products have now even been exported. I myself have been surprised by it. I believe if all efforts are based on a good will God will bless us," she said. (*)