Prostitutes return to Baturaden

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: After a one-year lull, prostitution has regained ground in Baturaden, a tourist resort on Mt. Slamet, some 15 kilometers north of here.

Streetwalkers coming from both Central Java and West Java towns, many of them are as young as 16, have been working in the hill resort for the past three months.

At least two hostels on Jl. Gang Sadar I and Gang Sadar II were mentioned by local residents as having teenage call girls.

"Up to now, I lived in peace here. I sometimes even went for a walk with an officer, who regularly comes to us to ask for a levy," one of the prostitutes, 20-year-old Ida (not her real name) of Cirebon, West Java, said.

Another woman, Fanny, of Tasikmalaya, said some police had asked for her services in return for her "license" to operate.

Chief of Baturaden police station, Capt. Khozin, was surprised when told by The Jakarta Post about the revival of prostitution in the area under his jurisdiction.

"We will take firm measures against prostitution practices here," he said. (45)