Future of Jakarta from ex-China monger POV
Indisputably, the Indo gov't is more focused on clamping down on VICE in the country. First Dolly in Surabaya, then Stadium, then Kalijodo, now another RLD is targeted, and a high-end establishment (Alexis) is within its sights. All it needs is one single isolated incident/excuse (i.e. overdose in Stadium, drunk driving death in Kalijodo) to justify making a sweeping instantaneous change affecting the lives of many. These places are dropping down like flies, but do you see any new ones pop up to replace them at the same rate? Nope, and for good reason.
We know that the new Govenor Ahok, and this new regime is more focused and determined to stamp out VICE and corruption, and have been more successful in doing such than the past regimes which probably benefited financially from it.
This all sounds eerily familiar to an ex-China monger, who used to frequent the playgrounds of Changping which was arguably wilder and more infamous than Jakarta. A new regime focused on clamping down on VICE and corruption forcefully cracked down on all activities, instantly eradicating the city of all such 'fun'. Most people thought it was just another one of the periodic "sweeps" by the Gov't to flex its muscles, acquire more $$kickbacks from these 'institutions', while appearing to the public that they are trying to clean up the city with some news footage of raids etc. However, this was over 3 years ago, and since then, not a single peep as everything has been driven out of sight and underground. It is clear now that Changping is closed for business, and it will NEVER return to the way it was. ChangPing was one of the ugly "black marks' to the new Chinese gov't, and as it was gaining an international reputation for sin, the new gov't wanted to eradicate it before it achieved the infamy of Thailand, Amsterdam, etc.
So those that think things will return back to the same way it was in Jakarta, I beg to differ. The gov't is clearly headed in the direction of 'cleaning' up the city, and not letting it get more out of control. Until we see a new RLD, or new Alexis / Malio / Classic type establishment open its doors, not sure how you could disagree. I think it's only a matter of time. It may take a few years, a decade, or perhaps two, but it will happen sooner or later. Sorry for delivering the bad news.
In the meantime to all here, enjoy your time in Jakarta while it lasts, because you never know when the ride will end. And I also suggest everyone to keep a low profile in Jakarta, and not post too many egregious stories (or even pictures) here about Jakarta, as this website [B]IS[/B] monitored by the Indo gov't and we shouldn't provide more reasons for them to speed up their plans, or overtly draw more negative attention which they are trying to avoid. Jakarta does not want to be known as the next Bangkok to the international community.