Wednesday marked a very un-happy ending for 28 spas that were made to shut down temporarily for illegally operating in Bali’s tourist hub of Kuta.
The irony is that based on police data, it’s believed there are 30 spas operating in Kuta — meaning all but two did not have their official permits in order.
As many as 15 of the spas were located on main roads in the tourist hub, including Jl. Raya Kartika Plaza, Jl. Raya Kuta, Jl. Legian, and Jl. Raya Patih Jelantik.
Chief of Badung Police Wayan Sukanta confirmed the news on Thursday, saying that the owners of the delinquent spas had to come in for “coaching” on how to get proper licenses.
“Today, the owners of the spas or their representatives came to be processed by investigators, all who had to make statements. The offenders are now ready to take care of their permits and temporarily suspend their businesses. They can open again after taking care of their permits,” Sukanta said, as quoted by Nusa Bali.
From the results of the investigation, it turned out many of the employees purporting to be spa therapists were not actually certified as such, said Sukanta.
“The company should pay attention to this,” he added.
If the 28 Kuta spas don’t step in line and get their proper permits, their temporary closures will become permanent, said Badung deputy regent, Ketut Suiasa.
“I am asking that they obey the rules in place,” Suiasa said.
Earlier this year, police were hell-bent on shutting down spas offering “happy ending” services during the Pekat Agung Operation which rain in May and June 2017.
In their operation, police found number of spas had an unwritten menu for “plus plus services.”
While prostitution is illegal in Indonesia, discreet services can be tolerated at times—if between consenting adults.
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