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Complaints By Clerics Turn On Cameras In Surabaya
Amir Tejo | March 11, 2011

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DrDez
4:32pm Mar 11, 2011

hmmm dont worry improper behaviouists within a week they will have been stolen or vandalised or just never connected. sadly another sop to the hardliners ... when will we learn?


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Surabaya. Heads up — the morality police have their eye on you. Or at least they will if you happen to be in Surabaya’s Bungkul Park.

City officials announced on Thursday that they would be setting up four CCTV cameras in the park, following complaints from local clerics about couples engaging in indecent behavior there.

The complaints also prompted police to carry out a raid at the park on Wednesday night.

Chalid Buchari, head of the city’s communications office, said the cameras, one at each corner of the park, would be set up by next week at the latest.

“Each camera will be able to zoom into a spot 75 meters away and still retain a clear image,” he said.

However, he denied that the move was solely in response to the clerics’ complaints, saying the cameras would also serve to improve security at the park.

“We’re installing these cameras to give parkgoers a sense of safety; letting them know that we’re watching out for lascivious behavior is one of the ways to do that,” Chalid said. “Besides, how can you stop people dating at the park?”

The announcement on the installation of the CCTV system follows from Saturday’s meeting of hundreds of clerics from Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s biggest Islamic organization, who complained about the “improper behavior” by young people visiting the park and the various entertainment activities on offer there.

Syaiful Chalim, head of the Surabaya chapter of NU, said the “people dating, music concerts and buskers” frequently disrupted religious activities at the nearby tomb of the Muslim missionary Mbah Bungkul, which draws hordes of pilgrims daily.

He added that the entire park should be turned into a religious theme park.

Surabaya Police responded to the call by conducting a raid at the park on Wednesday night.

Police Chief Sr. Comr. Coki Manurung said the raid was aimed at “getting park visitors to mind their conduct in public.

“It’s not acceptable for people to carry out improper acts,” he added.

However, Witanto, a Surabaya resident and frequent visitor to the park, said there were no couples commonly engaged in public displays of intimacy at the park, such as kissing.

“How could anyone do that here? It’s out in the open, everyone would see,” he said.

“Plus, they’ve got really bright lights out here.”

The 900-square-meter Bungkul Park was established in 2007, during the administration of Mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono. It features a children’s playground, fountain, skateboard arena and BMX track.