Biggest Red Light Area in Indonesia Permanently Closed

Jakarta (Antara) - Dolly, Indonesia's biggest red light area located in Surabaya city, East Java province, was permanently closed on Wednesday night (June 18). The closing was marked by a gathering held at the Islamic Center building in Surabaya city and was attended by Social Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri, East Java's Governor Soekarwo, Surabaya's Mayor Tri Rismaharini, Surabaya's Chief of Police, members of the regional legislative council, Ulema, prostitutes, and people living around the Dolly area. "What needs to be maintained is something positive. If it is not positive then there is no need to maintain it," Social Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri stated during the gathering event on Wednesday. The minister lauded the related authorities who were willing to close the Dolly area, which was not only the biggest red light area in Indonesia but also in the Southeast Asian region. "We have been working hard during the past 2-3 years to handle this issue," noted the minister. The Wednesday gathering was also marked by a declaration made by the local people who pledged to keep their area prostitution-free. The declaration was made on paper and signed by representatives of the local people. Meanwhile, Governor of the East Java province Soekarwo appreciated the decision to close the Dolly area. "This is a humanitarian effort. When Surabaya's Mayor Risma proposed to close Dolly, I approved her plan," stated Soekarwo. When asked about the plan to send former Dolly prostitutes back to their respective hometowns, Soekarwo said that the local government had provided the funding for that plan. Following the closing of Dolly area, related authorities such as the Social Ministry and government of East Java province gave a total compensation of Rp1.5 billion to Dolly's prostitutes and the people who will be affected by the decision. (*) Reporting by Abdul Hakim Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi