Jakarta City Council deputy speaker Muhammad Taufik has reminded Governor Anies Baswedan to have solid evidence before refusing to extend Alexis Hotel’s operation permit.

Anies specifically singled out the hotel, located in North Jakarta and operated by PT. Grand Ancol Hotel, during his gubernatorial campaign.

He stated on Monday that he had decided not to extend the hotel’s permit because he believed it was operating as a brothel. The hotel’s request to extend its tourism business certification (TDUP) has been denied by the Jakarta administration.

“I think it’s a bold move that he [Anies] needs to take [to fulfill his election promise]. However, the PTSP [One-Stop Integrated Service Agency] should have strong evidence [to prove Anies’s claims],” Taufik said as quoted by kompas.com on Monday, adding that a similar approach should be taken with any establishment accused of prostitution.

Taufik asserted the importance of obtaining evidence to ensure that the decision would not create a problem in the future, such as being legally challenged at the courts.

“If the hotel has indeed violated certain requirements that would not allow it to extend its permit, the administrative decision would not become a problem,” he said.

Anies claimed that he had sufficient evidence from media reports, as well as complaints from residents to support his allegations. (fac)