Brothels, lottery kiosks closed

BANYUMAS, Central Java: Following recent protests by Muslim scholars and students from Muslim boarding schools in the regency, Banyumas welcomed the first day of the holy month of Ramadhan without any signs of the illegal togel lottery kiosks.

The streets were similarly empty in the Baturaden tourist resort area, where commercial sex workers could often be seen walking the streets.

"The sex workers usually go home before the fasting month starts and return after Lebaran (post-Ramadhan holiday)," said Martono, 24, a resident at the brothel complex infamous for its initials GS, located in the vicinity of Baturaden.

Yatmin, 45, a togel dealer in Mersi, Purwokerto, complained that he could earn nothing during Ramadhan, as he was compelled to close his shop.

"They (the protesters) say it's a holy month and we must respect it. But I'm confused, because if I close my kiosk, what can I do for a living? I closed my shop following my fellow togel dealers' decision to shut theirs, and I'm scared of the protests if I kept it open during Ramadhan," he said. -- JP