Jayakarta Regional Military Command on Wednesday announced a plan to clear Taman Lawang, a public park on Jalan Latuharhary in Central Jakarta, of transvestites.

"I will instruct Central Jakarta's Military District Command to clear Taman Lawang of transvestites," said the head of Jayakarta Regional Military Command, Maj. Gen. Waris, as quoted by Detik.com.

He said that the action was necessary because Jakarta, as the capital, was the "display window" of Indonesia. "Do we really want foreign tourists seeing those [transvestites] when they visit the country?" Waris said.

He said the transvestites would receive training to improve their skills.

"I hope they will be taught new skills so they will be able to find work," Waris said. "There's a building in Thailand where all of the employees are transvestites and they work according to their skills."