E. Java's NU ready to guide former Dolly's sex workers

Surabaya, NU Online
The Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) of East Java, has fully supported the Surabaya city administration for its plan to immediately shut down the red light districts, including Dolly, one of the largest prostitution centers in South East Asia, in the country's second-largest city. <>

"We extend the mandate of the Islamic scholars (kiai) who support the closure of localizations in Surabaya," said Chairman of PWNU KH Moh. Hasan Mutawakkil Alallah on the sidelines of a meeting with Mayor of Surabaya, Tri Rismaharini , in the Surabaya City Hall over the weekend.

Kiai Mutawakkil said that the PWNU was prepared to provide written support by involving all NU boards of management ranging from sub-village to provincial levels, adding that the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization "is ready to help guide the Dolly's sex workers."

He added that following the brothel closure, the PWNU would prepare mentoring programs in addition to helping develop their "skills" and a number of other activities before going back to their hometown to start a new life.

"Actually, the closure is a long desire which could likely be realized in the Mrs. Risma's leadership, therefore we will totally support the local government's steps. NU is also ready to cooperate with security forces whenever needed," he said.

On the occasion, Mrs. Risma said that the Surabaya city administration's plan to shut down  the Dolly prostitution center will be carried out before the month of Ramadan in 2014.

According to Mrs. Risma, the closure of the prostitution areas is actually not difficult. However, the local govenrment will pay more more attention to the condition following the closure.

"If we just shut down (Dollly), now we can. But the problem is that we have to prepare favorable actions after its closure. The conditioning is much heavier for it determines the sustainability of the region," she said.

As an illustration, she said, for the former red light districs such as Sememi and Klakahrejo, the local government had allocated budget amounted to Rp28 billion.

The funds have been used to build market, street vendors , and a number of other public facilities. Thus, those having long lived in the former localization centers will find job opportunities to meet the needs of their economy.

Asked whether the Dolly revitalization efforts require the approval of the local people, she asserted that the process would continue to run despite the localization closure is without consent because, based on the Provincial Regulation no 7/1999, it clearly states that the area is designed for residence, not a place of prostitution.

"With the Provincial Regulation, the (Surabaya) city administration is entitled to take action for the good of the city, so the closure of localization does not require any approval," Mrs. Risma said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq