Inp.polri.go.id - Balikpapan. East Kalimantan Regional Police have made cracking down on prostitution near Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara (IKN), a key priority due to rising social concerns linked to growing migration into the area.

“Police are taking the issue of prostitution around IKN very seriously,” said East Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Endar Priantoro on Friday (30/5/2025). “It’s a consequence of increased population movement into the IKN zone.”

Authorities have already shut down several identified hotspots, with a noticeable decline in activity. However, police are investigating indications of exploitation and potential human trafficking involving pimps, or locally knows as mucikari.

Patrols and cyber monitoring continue, revealing both in-person and app-based prostitution. Police are coordinating with local sectors and stakeholders to close down known locations.

“We’re working to prevent social issues as infrastructure and migration into IKN increase,” Chief Endar asserted, as quoted by antara news.com.

Six suspects are currently under investigation, including one alleged pimp, East Kalimantan Police Criminal Investigation Director Senior Superintendent Jamaludin Farti said.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)