A courtroom in Denpasar was chock-full of prostitutes on Friday.
A total of 33 women netted in a Denpasar police raid were fined IDR400k (US$30) each for working as prostitutes in Bali.
Judge Wayan Kawisada decided the penalty at hearing in Denpasar District Court on Friday.
“A find of IDR400k will be imposed,” the judge said, as quoted by Tribun Bali.
While prostitution is illegal in Indonesia, discreet services can be tolerated at times—if between consenting adults. But sometimes law enforcement chooses to amp up policing on the practice.
The 33 women, netted from three different spots in Denpasar were found guilty of violating Regional Regulation No. 1 of year 2015 on Public Order.
One of the women, Nita (not her real name), from West Java, wept as she faced the judge, explaining that she had tried to find other work, but after failing to find a job, she took up prostitution.
“Because of pressing economic problems, I was forced to undergo this work.
“I’m really sorry, I promise not to do this job again.”
Looks like we’ll have to wait and see if IDR400k really is deterrent enough.
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