Can Mount Antang Be Evicted? Observer: I Said There Are Uniformed Thugs Inside

Gunung Antang area, a place of prostitution in East Jakarta/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - Public Policy Observer Azas Tigor Nainggolan, urged PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), East Jakarta City Government, Kodim 0505/East Jakarta and East Jakarta Metro Police to immediately take firm steps to close the localization of prostitution and gambling in Gunung Antang. This is because the localization is located near the newly inaugurated Matraman Station.

"PT KAI must take care of it. Clean up quickly. If not, the station will be slum later, it will be vulnerable. It's a shame, it's a good thing the station is vulnerable. Not only PT KAI, the local government too, the police too, the TNI too, it must be involved because there are thugs. thugs in it," said Azas Tigor to VOI, Tuesday, June 28.

As is known, PT KAI targets the demolition of the Gunung Antang prostitution site, Matraman District, East Jakarta in July. A number of illegal buildings will be made public facilities, one of which is the Green Open Space (RTH).

Currently, PT KAI is still coordinating with the East Jakarta City Government regarding the plan to control or demolish the Mount Antang localization.

"That's just an excuse, if it's insecure, everyone has to be responsible. It's just an order from PT KAI, don't give too many excuses to the Police, Kodim and City Government. As a public official, he has to protect public areas, don't turn it into a project," he said.

Meanwhile, residents asked the government and officials to immediately close the localization of Mount Antang, Matraman, East Jakarta.

The residents made the request during a mediation process between Gunung Antang and the residents of Rawa Bunga at the East Jakarta Police, last Monday, June 13.

The request for closure mainly came from residents of RW 001, Rawa Bunga Village, Jatinegara District. The resident's settlement is close to the localization of Mount Antang which he considers disturbing.

However, the existence of the Gunung Antang localization seems to be protected. The localization is still standing even though there are many complaints from the local community. Azas Tigor also suspected that there was a game in the localization of the black valley.

"Indeed there is a game, I said there are uniformed thugs in the (localization). It has been decades (localization), because it is not serious about cleaning it (closing the lokalisasi)," he said.