Resettlers turn to prostitution

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The minister of transmigration has said there are resettlers who have abandoned their land and become prostitutes.

"I'm not blind to the situation, that instead of becoming farmers there are resettlers who work as prostitutes," Siswono was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying during a discussion with students Tuesday.

"The transmigration program is not to blame, it's a matter of the women resettlers' faith: if they had it, they wouldn't do it," he said.

"Besides, prostitutes exist because there is a need for them, not only in resettlement areas but everywhere."

Siswono, however, promised that his office would help find solutions to the condition by, among other things, providing more training programs to improve resettlers' skills. (swe)