Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District
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The brutal murder of Deudeuh Sahrin Alfi, who worked as a prostitute in a boarding house in Tebet, shocked the city and shed light on the capital’s widespread, underground sex trade. The subsequent crackdown revealed new scandals such as this weekend’s revelation that there was a prostitution ring with underage sex workers operating out of the Kalibata City apartments.
Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has talked before about how difficult it was for the government or police to monitor and regulate prostitution throughout the city.
Ever the pragmatist, today Ahok suggested the creation of special, tightly regulated apartment buildings in which prostitutes could work legally.
The idea was revealed by Jakarta Regional Secretary Saifullah while speaking to the media today at City Hall.
“The idea of Pak Governor is a tower in which prostitution is legalized,” Saefullah said, as quoted by Kompas.
However, Saifullah said the city government has not determined whether they would designate an existing apartment to fulfill that role or whether they would build a new one. But it seems like, wherever it was, it would be far from the city center.
“One example might be in the Thousand Islands, or perhaps somewhere on the outskirts of the city. So the idea is that it would still be far away. As we move forward, responses from the community will be accommodated,” Saefullah said.
Saifullah said that the goal of this would to be prostitution and prevent it from spreading throughout the city.
“We cannot let [prostitution] spread everywhere. But, as the governor says, it will always exist in society. As long as man exists, so will prostitution. Rather than forcing it underground, how about regulating it?” Saefullah said.
