JAKARTA. A House of Representatives committee is seeking an explanation from Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian about the eviction of residents and workers from Kalijodo red-light district in West and North Jakarta.

A law enforcement working committee, from House Commission III overseeing legal issues, have summoned Ahok and Tito to explain the legal basis of the eviction at a hearing next week.

"It is not only a prostitution issue, but it is also about the rights of Kalijodo residents, whose economy was affected," said Desmond Junaidi Mahesa, the working committee's chairman, in Jakarta on Monday.

He initially said that the committee would listen to Ahok and Tito’s explanations on Monday, but because both leaders had to prepare the city to host the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit on Monday and Tuesday, the House postponed the hearing until next week.

The Jakarta administration closed down the red-light district on Feb. 29. The administration plans to develop parks on the land formerly used as the red-light district.

Hundreds of residents have been relocated to low-cost apartments, prepared by the city administration, while sex workers had move to neighboring red-light districts or to other areas like Bongkaran in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Police are investigating various figures from the area , including Daeng Aziz, who was known as the informal leader of Kalijodo and operated two cafes there.(Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie