Influx of foreign sex workers sets Batam leaders in a tizzy

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam, Riau

The Batam administration has been urged to take immediate action against around 150 foreign prostitutes operating freely on the industrial island in Riau province.

Local religious and community leaders, as well as anti-AIDS activists, said on Wednesday the authorities should summon entertainment promoters on Batam for allegedly facilitating the operation of the foreign sex workers.

The commercial sex workers have been reportedly found plying their trade in at least two places on Batam. One is Sphink Discotheque, part of the Seruni Hotel, while the other is the Miyabi building, which hosts a Japanese restaurant and a massage parlor located in the Mandarin Hotel.

The Sphink allegedly harbors around 90 foreign prostitutes, who are usually on display and ready for action in a lounge on the second floor of the building.

In the Miyabi building, there are more than 60 foreign sex workers, reportedly hailing from Thailand, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and several European countries, including, surprisingly, Norway, one of the richest countries in the world.

Consumers are charged Rp 2.500,000 for a full night. This is much more expensive than the prices charged by the local sex workers also operating in Batam, who normally ask for Rp 250,000 per night.

Agus, a waitress in Sphink, said most customers were expatriates working in Batam or spending holidays on the island, which is known for its booming sex trade. They usually come to Batam on Friday and Saturday nights.

"Most of the clients are foreign tourists as the price (for the foreign prostitutes) is 10 times that for the local girls," he said.

Sources said that the importation of foreign prostitutes was organized by local ethic-Chinese businesswoman Mrs Jhon Brother, who has been living in Batam for the last five years.

Wachdiyat, a senior official of the Batam immigration office, said that the local administration could not confirm the presence of foreign prostitutes in the city despite the fact that they were reportedly operating in the two hotels.

He argued that it was difficult to identify the motives of foreigners coming to the island, whether they wanted to visit as tourists or to work, sometimes even as sex workers.

"We don't know if there are foreign sex workers operating on Batam. It requires proof in the field. They may have come to Batam on tourist visas. If we arrest them without concrete evidence, it could be a problem," Wachdiyat said.

"To investigate the case, we would have to go there disguised as customers. But we don't have the money for that. So far we haven't received any reports on this matter," he added.

Anas, an executive of the Batam branch of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), said that permitting such illegal businesses to operate was in violation of the hotel permits issued by the local administration.

"The mayor should investigate how these permits are being used by hotels and nightclubs. If they are found to be violating the regulations, the government must take firm action against them, including revoking their permits," he told The Jakarta Post.

Barelang Police chief Sr. Comr. Suhartono vowed to take resolute action against any hotels or other entertainment centers found accommodating foreign sex workers.

"We will take action if there are foreigners working illegally, especially as prostitutes."

Evianora Azwar, an activist with the Mitra Health Foundation, said that should the authorities fail to punish foreign sex workers, it could increase the spread of HIV/AIDS in Batam.

"Foreign prostitutes should be arrested as, otherwise, the HIV virus will spread quickly in Batam ... The authorities should not only chase after the local sex workers, and let their foreign rivals operate freely," the AIDS activist added.

Ashari Abbas, who chairs the Batam branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), urged the government to respond quickly to public demands by stopping the operation of foreign prostitutes.

"The presence of foreign sex workers has added to the bad image of Batam. We should not give any opportunities for such a sinful behavior to flourish," he said.