Call girls punished lightly

DENPASAR, Bali: Six women, including three Filipinas, who were arrested by police during a raid on a local brothel, were each let off with a Rp 50,000 fine yesterday by the Badung District Court.

They were all found guilty of violating a bye-law on homelessness.

Judge L.P. Sulatri said that in the absence of an anti-vice law, she could only convict the women under the law regulating homeless people.

The verdict drew strong jeers from the crowd, including journalists, who had expected stiffer punishments for the women.

Balinese leaders have condemned prostitution practices in the province, saying that it is tarnishing the image of the island.

The women were all netted at a brothel in Denpasar owned by Hartono, known to run similar establishments in Jakarta and other big cities. The women, according to police sources, charge between Rp 500,000 and Rp 1.5 million for sex. (23/rms)