Police arrest alleged pimp

BATAM, Riau: Lubuk Baja Police arrested a woman on Thursday for allegedly selling a 13-year-old virgin into prostitution for Rp 10 million (US$1,220) at a karaoke bar in a Batam hotel.

The police were able to free the girl from Subang, West Java, before she was violated.

The suspect, Ana, has been charged with violating Criminal Code Article 297 on Child Trafficking and Law No. 23/2002 on Child Protection. If convicted, the suspect faces a sentence of 15 years in jail or a maximum fine of Rp 500 million.

Head of criminal detectives First Insp. Adip Rojikan said the girl came to Batam a month ago after she was promised work in Batam by another woman named Linda, who then sold her to Ana. Linda is still at large, he said.

"The victim was offered for Rp 2 million but since that was considered too cheap, the deal was called off. There's substantial evidence to prove that Ana violated the Law on Child Protection," he said. -- JP