Removal of sex workers urged

CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Hundreds of activists from the Indonesian Moslem Student Movement's (PMII) Cilacap branch demanded government action on Thursday to put an end to prostitution here.

In a demonstration at the local council, they suggested that local prostitutes, reportedly increasing in number since the closure of an official rehabilitation site in July, be moved to nearby Nusakambangan island, now used to house prisoners.

The rehabilitation site, located in Slarang village, was closed due to public pressure.

PMII activist M. Tofik said he knew that the dozens of prostitutes operating in the town were from Slarang. "People are now suffering from a crisis of basic needs. Don't add to their suffering with the moral destruction of the young generation," he said.

Relocating the prostitutes to Nusakambangan might help to reduce the industry's negative impact, he added.

Regent Herry Tabri said Nusakambangan was under the authority of the Ministry of Justice and that he could only convey the activists' demands to the ministry. (45)