Jakarta raids huge red-light district before Ramadan

SURABAYA, Indonesia: Hundreds of police and soldiers raided a huge red-light district in Indonesia’s second-biggest city Friday to close down brothels before the holy month of Ramadan.
Scuffles briefly broke out between security forces and people protesting the raid in the area known as “Dolly” in Surabaya, on Indonesia’s main Java island.
“The raid was conducted to make sure that entertainment centers, including brothels, are closed during the whole month of Ramadan,” said Irvan Widyanto, a Surabaya official responsible for maintaining public order.
Ramadan begins on Sunday in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. The raid came about a week after the city’s mayor announced the closure of the red-light area.
The bid to close Dolly has sparked fierce resistance from sex workers who have staged regular protests. The government has pledged to give them financial assistance and training in new professions.
Some 500 police, soldiers and public order officers, who assist police in maintaining peace but have fewer powers, were involved in Friday’s raid, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
One large brothel in the area was closed down permanently, said Widyanto. Scuffles broke out when public order officers sought to take down banners condemning the closure of Dolly.
Hardliners also regularly carry out raids on bars and brothels during Ramadan.