HMI wants action against brothels

PALU, Central Sulawesi: The local branch of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI) called on the municipality to clamp down on massage parlors, hotels and inns which had been turned into brothels, Antara reported on Friday.

The chairman of the local HMI branch, Salehuddin Awal, said that unless these places were closed down the residents would become impatient, which could lead to violence.

"We don't understand how these things have been allowed to go on for so long, and the public has known about it all along. We have not seen any action being taken so far," he said.

The municipality should conduct frequent raids on locations suspected of providing sexual services and take firm action against those found guilty, he said.

Antara said at least 10 places along Jl. Kartini, Jl. MH Thamrin, Jl. S. Parman and Jl. Sutomo were known to offer sexual services. (04)